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
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.