Editor:
I read an article in the NOW that had the latest vaccination rates for kids in Burnaby and it was disturbing.
“The BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) vaccine coverage progress by local health area update shows second doses for eligible children aged 5-11 increased just one per cent to 54% from April 24 to May 1, 2022,” said the article.
And yet, the vaccination rate for adults with at least two shots is far higher. This doesn’t make sense to me. Why would parents get their two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but not do the same for their children.
There is nothing that I’ve read that says the vaccine has any significant side effects on children and yet parents are willingly not getting their kids vaccinated. That feels so reckless to me.
I blame Dr. Bonnie Henry, our provincial health officer, for giving parents mixed signals when it comes to COVID-19. I don’t feel she has been clear enough about the dangers of COVID-19 to children and the protection offered by the vaccine.
The messaging has been muddled at best. She should be shouting for kids to be vaccinated from the rooftops. And parents need to give their heads a shake about this issue. If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for your children.
Stop getting your medical advice from Facebook.
L. Wong, Burnaby
