B.C. teachers hope kids COVID shots help get school life back to normal

Teachers in B.C. are relieved younger kids in this country will soon have access to COVID-19 shots.

On Friday, Health Canada announced its authorization for the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged five to 11.

The country expects child-sized doses of the vaccine to begin arriving on Sunday. All 2.9 million doses, enough for one dose for every child in that age range, are expected by the end of next week.

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BCTF president Teri Mooring says the news comes as “much relief” for educators, “especially elementary school teachers, who aren’t going to feel truly comfortable until everyone is vaccinated.”

“This is a real opportunity to really put out a lot of information and education around why all school-aged children should be vaccinated,” Mooring said, adding vaccinations are the “only way” to fight COVID-19.

However, so far none of B.C.’s 60 school districts have brought in vaccine mandates for teachers. Boards in Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Langley, Chilliwack, and others have all voted against requiring staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying the benefits of a mandate don’t outweigh the risks.

Instead of implementing a province-wide mandate, B.C. has left it up to each of the school districts to decide.

Last spring, teachers pushed for the province to prioritize school staff in the earlier stages of the vaccine rollout. In April, teachers and school staff were among the earlier groups to receive their vaccine.

Watch: Kids’ vaccines expected to arrive in B.C. next week (Nov. 18)

When it comes to vaccines for elementary school students, Mooring says teachers will want all kids to be vaccinated “at high rates.”

She hopes the rollout happens quickly and doses are accessible for young children and families.

B.C.’s top doctor, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has said while most shots will be administered through public clinics, the vaccine may be made available in schools in some parts of the province.

“That’s one approach,” Mooring said. “But there are lots of approaches to making vaccines available.”

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She adds vaccine safety education will be important to ease concerns parents and guardians may have.

“I think we’ve been living with COVID-19 long enough for us to all know that vaccinations are so important. Obviously, they’re not a guarantee, but they are absolutely the best way we have of combatting the virus,” Mooring said, adding vaccinations will also be key to getting life in schools back to normal.

“That’s not going to happen until everybody is vaccinated.”

It is official.
Pfizer’s #covid19 shot for 5-11 year olds approved in Canada.
(Thursday Dr Henry told me doses will be in BC days from now, doses being given end of next week)#bcpoli #bced @CityNewsVAN https://t.co/ckJ3VsCjsJ

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 19, 2021

Mooring says there is a small percentage of families that choose not to vaccinate their children, “but that’s very rare.”

“I think we’ve done a really good job in our society and our schools at normalizing vaccines. That’s a regular part of children’s lives — in Grade 6 and Grade 9, in particular. They get their vaccinations at school,” she said.

“I certainly am looking forward to a day where the idea of COVID-19 vaccines has become de-politicized and much more a part of our everyday lives.”

She notes flu shots have become a regular part of most people’s lives and hopes COVID shots are eventually viewed the same way.