Vaccinated students in Simcoe Muskoka will have 'terrific advantage' over unvaccinated students
With September fast approaching, Simcoe Muskoka's health officials urge parents to have their children 12 and older vaccinated as Ontario's top doctor warns unvaccinated students could face a separate set of isolation rules.
Simcoe Muskoka's medical officer of health (MOH) said children ages 12 to 17 are "trailing behind" in immunizations, partly because they were the last group made eligible for the vaccine.
Students have six weeks before the start of the school year to get their shots.
Currently, 38 per cent of students are fully immunized in Simcoe Muskoka.
"We want to do all that we can to have them ready for school," the region's top doctor said. "We need to get immunization up as high as we can."
For children under the age of 12 who aren't eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, Gardner said the province would take measures with a tiered approach to students in school. "We need to ensure that the school environment is as safe as we can make it."
Meanwhile, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's MOH, said if a COVID-19 outbreak were to happen in the school environment, unvaccinated students and staff would have to immediately isolate for at least 10 days and require two negative COVID-19 tests seven days apart before returning to in-person learning.
While students with two doses of a vaccine would have minimal interruption to their school year.
"Terrific advantage of being two-dose immunized by being able to stay in school and attend sports and participate fully in all of the social activities of the school setting," Moore said during his weekly COVID-19 update.
Simcoe Muskoka's health unit is preparing to close its mass immunization clinics by late August. Gardner pointed to walk-in clinics for earlier appointments.
With files from CTV News Toronto
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.