40,000 Alberta kids aged 5-11 now vaccinated, but advocates concerned about equal access
A little more than a week after COVID-19 vaccine bookings opened for Alberta kids aged 5-11, more than 40,000 had received their first dose by Friday.
That's about 10 per cent of all Albertans in that age group, but the numbers vary wildly depending on where families live.
Some areas in Edmonton had rates above 20 per cent with a first dose already, while others were sitting at less than six per cent.
"Areas with higher average incomes had higher vaccination rates," said Roman Pabayo.
He is a research chair with Social and Health Inequities Canada and also an associate professor at the University of Alberta.
Income was one factor, availability of transit, language barriers and clinic hours are also reasons that some families that want to get vaccinated aren't getting it done, Pabayo said.
"People who are living in let’s say poorer areas are less likely to get vaccinated and therefore more likely to get sick," he said of his research.
"There’s no way that the interest in vaccination matches the vaccination rates that we’re seeing in some of these places right now, it’s just about access," said Sarah Mackey with Vax Hunters Alberta.
There were three vaccination clinics for children in Edmonton, but Mackey and other vaccine advocates think there should be more and they should be placed where people already go.
"You know spaces like community leagues, community centres. I know the cities are really happy to help where they can, and we could be doing this in the rec centres, and the libraries are eager to do whatever they can," she said.
Pabayo believes mobile vaccination clinics driving into neighbourhoods would also increase rates overall and decrease inequities.
"That will help people fit getting these vaccinations into their schedules," he said.
There’s no word from the province on when more clinics could open, but vaccine advocates say the longer the delay, the harder the impact on marginalized communities.
Alberta is not vaccinating for COVID-19 in schools, and this week Dr. Deena Hinshaw assured parents that no vaccines will be given without parental consent.
More information about booking is on the province's website.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.