Public Health indicates that this province’s high vaccination rates played a significant role in the decision to allow students to return to schools.
Students will be back at their desks tomorrow, provided that two of the rapid test kits given to them—one which should have been taken Saturday, and another tomorrow morning before leaving for school—come back negative. Students have been provided with another three rapid tests to be taken if, or when, they develop cold-like symptoms.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the province’s vaccination rates are very high.
(DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
More than 93 per cent of students aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated, and almost 75 per cent of students aged 5 to 11 have had their first vaccine.
Some are asking why government is not waiting until more younger students get their second vaccine, which is something Fitzgerald says was considered.
She says it will be another six weeks before students in the 5 to 11 age group are fully vaccinated, taking into account the two weeks following the second shot for it to become fully effective. But six weeks is “too long” says Fitzgerald, weighing the importance of being back in school.
