The vaccination of toddlers is a sensitive subject. Parents want to take all the necessary precautions and wait to see results before making a choice. The Bas-Saint-Laurent vaccination coordinator is convinced that word of mouth will do its job.
“We vaccinated 35 children over a slightly larger number of available appointments. We would like there to be more traffic, but we know it’s usual. Each time we start vaccination, near a new group, there is always some hesitation from the population, they must be well informed and we are there to answer their questions,” explains the vaccination coordinator, Natalie Bond.
She wants to be reassuring. The way of proceeding was modified to adapt to the young age of the clientele, an approach appreciated by the parents who were able to witness it.
“We trained nearly sixty people throughout the Bas-Saint-Laurent. It still takes a different approach with children. We also contact parents for this vaccination. It takes an approach that is more enveloping with our little ones and we want to take care of it”
Divided opinions
Opinions are mixed on the vaccination of children aged six months to five years. Many are skeptical, while others agree.
“We are not necessarily for or once morest, but we are not going to have them vaccinated. We have three children, all those around us who went to get vaccinated caught Covid. We are not vaccinated and we caught the Covid anyway and we got out of it, we say to ourselves that our children too, ”explains a mother.
While the positivity rate is higher in Bas-Saint-Laurent than elsewhere in the province, the CISSS hopes to succeed in convincing the most hesitant.
“We know that the vaccine is safe, it has been under study for a long time. If we vaccinate with the Moderna vaccine. We also know that children in this age group are at risk of contracting Covid. We are aware that children who are hospitalized from six months to four years, it paralyzes family life, ”says Nathalie Bond.
Booster dose
The region is above the provincial average for the booster dose. 900 people have been vaccinated for the third or fourth time since last Monday.