Priority boosters, in-school vaccinations needed as students, staff head back to in-classroom learning

HALIFAX – The Houston government has confirmed that students in Nova Scotia will return to in-classroom learning on Monday January 17. To prepare, priority boosters, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and school-based vaccination clinics need to be part of the back-to-work plan.

“Parents, students, teachers and staff all want our schools to be safe. The government needs to do the work to make that happen. That means prioritizing booster shots for people who work in schools and child care, and equipping them with the necessary PPE,” said NDP leader Gary Burrill.

As schools reopen, most children between 5-11 will not have received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Only 60 per cent of children have received their first dose.

“Public Health has been clear that vaccinations provide important protection and are key to protecting our kids from serious illness. If the government is truly committed to schools being safe, they have to help reduce any barriers to getting children vaccinated,” said NDP Education spokesperson Suzy Hansen. “School-based vaccination clinics could increase both the rate and speed of immunization, at a time when it’s never been more critical to do so.”

Yesterday the government announced the hospitalization of a child under the age of five with COVID-19.

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