Two-thirds of Toronto parents ‘certain or somewhat likely’ to get young kids vaccinated against COVID-19, survey says
Opinion
Two-thirds of Toronto parents ‘certain or somewhat likely’ to get young kids vaccinated against COVID-19, survey says
Toronto Star Published Wednesday, March 9, 2020
More than a third of parents who have children under the age of five living in their community are “likely” to get their children immunized against COVID-19, according to a survey of young parents conducted by the Toronto District School Board.
The survey, the board said, is part of its drive to ensure there is adequate supply of vaccines in school and the immunization schedule, which includes the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine for children aged nine to 12; as well as the HPV (human papillomavirus) and tetanus-diphtheria combinations for 12- to 15-year-olds and the flu vaccine for 13- to 16-year-olds.
“We need to start early with children to ensure a healthy start for them,” said board chair Karen Stintz-Weber, adding that the board would continue to reach out to parents and children in the community.
The survey, which had a 57 per cent response rate, was conducted over one week and followed the board’s regular routine of holding a drop-in for parents and children in neighbourhoods with high numbers of families with young children.
The average age of the survey participants was 33 and 57 per cent were parents. Two in five were mothers, and 15 per cent were fathers.
The parents, who were asked what vaccines their children have, were in agreement that their children needed to be up-to-date with regular vaccines to ensure a healthy start.
The most commonly recommended vaccines are chickenpox and