Ontario’s chief medical officer of health walks back comment on COVID vaccines for children

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health is walking back comments he made about vaccinating young children against COVID-19 during an update on Wednesday that prompted criticism among opposition politicians and on social media.

During a news conference on returning children to in-class learning, Dr. Kieran Moore was asked about lower vaccine uptake for children between five and 11 years old (which currently sits just below 50 per cent of the eligible population) and if there should be a mandate.

“It is a new vaccine and as a result of that we want greater experience with it before we’d ever mandate it,” he said.

“I always would love to see a higher uptake of the vaccine. Early days in the United States are showing significant protection against the rare risk of hospitalization in children and the use of the intensive care unit. It’s almost a 20-to-one ratio just like we’re seeing in adults.”

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the comment caused her “some concern.” She reiterated the party’s position of making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for school attendance similar to other vaccine requirements.

“It’s pretty troubling,” she told reporters, going on to accuse the provincial government of having “coddled anti-vaxxers.”

“I’m troubled by the comments Dr. Moore made and I’m sure that parents are as well, especially at a time when we’re trying to urge parents to have their younger children get their second dose.”

Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca also took issue with Moore’s comment.

“Millions of children have received the vaccine with no adverse effects. Dr. Moore’s statement feeds vaccine hesitancy. As the province’s top doctor, he should be fighting that not feeding it,” he posted on Twitter Wednesday afternoon.

“If he doesn’t clarify his comments, he should go.”

Through Health Minister Christine Elliott’s office, Moore issued a response nearly three hours after he spoke.

“I want to be clear that the pediatric Pfizer vaccine for children five to 11 is safe, effective, and provides strong protection against COVID-19 and variants,” he wrote before going on to highlight vaccine consultation services for families.

“To date, millions of children aged five to 11 have received the pediatric Pfizer vaccine and are benefitting from the strong protection provided, and the overwhelming majority of side effects have been mild. I strongly encourage all children five to 11 to get the vaccine as soon as possible.”