Vaccination for 5 to 11 year olds started three weeks ago, but compared to the rest of the province, Montreal and Laval are lagging behind. In some areas of the metropolis, one in four children received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while elsewhere, it is more than half.
On average, in Montreal, 39% of 5 to 11 year olds have had a dose of the vaccine. In Laval, this proportion is 34%. In Quebec as a whole, it stands at 44%.
“We understand that we are not at all in the same place,” said with a sigh Kathleen Legault, president of the Montreal Association of School Directions (AMDES).
In the island, the variation from one district to another is great. In Saint-Léonard, for example, only 17% of children aged 5 to 11 have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. At the other end of the spectrum is Beaconsfield, where 63% of children had their first dose.
“It is disappointing that once again, the response to vaccination is so uneven on the island, despite the efforts that have been made and despite our collaboration”, deplores Mr.me Legault.
The message does not get across some more disadvantaged, vulnerable or multi-ethnic Montreal neighborhoods.
Kathleen Legault, President of the Montreal Association of School Administrators
The fact that vaccination in elementary schools on the island of Montreal was variable from one place to another sometimes sowed “confusion” among parents, she said, while observing that the CIUSSS were more “Proactive” than others.
Vaccination seems to be rolling out quickly in some schools. The Hélène-Boullé elementary school, in the Villeray district, sent an email to parents shortly before 4 pm on Tuesday to advise them that the vaccination would take place at the school… Wednesday.
“We have just learned that the vaccination against COVID-19 will take place at our school tomorrow,” it reads.
Target: 50% by Christmas
In terms of vaccination, the five CIUSSS on the island of Montreal have “common approaches”, says Dr Paul Le Guerrier, medical consultant attached to the Montreal Regional Public Health Department and COVID-19 vaccination coordinator in Montreal.
As much as possible, we try to go to all the schools and if we are unable, we go to schools in disadvantaged areas, because we know that they are the most difficult to convince.
The Dr Paul The Warrior
The Montreal regional public health department wants to give a first dose of vaccine to more than 50%, “maybe 60%” of children before the schools close, a rate already reached in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, in Saguenay – Lac. -Saint-Jean and in Gaspésie, for example.
In certain disadvantaged districts of the metropolis, teams go door to door. “We cannot convince the 5-11 year olds, we have to convince the parents,” recalls the doctor.
At the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, which covers the Saint-Léonard sector where 17% of children have received a first dose of vaccine, it is explained that there are still 30 schools out of 86 to visit. by December 20. “We are currently working on setting up local vaccination activities for this clientele which could possibly be deployed for the return of the holiday break”, says its spokesperson, Christian Merciari.
Tests before the return in January?
Tuesday, the regional director of public health of Montreal, the DD Mylène Drouin, expressed the wish on a daily basis The duty that Montreal elementary school students undergo a rapid test for COVID-19 before they return to class in January. This test, she said, could also be done at school on the first day of the school year.
At the Montreal Association of School Administrators (AMDES), we do not see how we could test all the students after the holidays. “It seems very demanding and unrealistic to me, given the resources we have and the staff shortage we are facing. Unless it is done by the parents, before the return to school, ”says its president Kathleen Legault.
44%: proportion of schools currently struggling with at least one case of COVID-19