Two-thirds of Toronto parents ‘certain or somewhat likely’ to get young kids vaccinated against COVID-19, survey says
In an emotional interview that lasted more than 10 minutes, Toronto Public Health says the majority of parents are “certain or slightly likely” to get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19.
A Public Health Region II survey asked almost 3000 Toronto parents about their views on the matter. Two-thirds (66 per cent) polled said they were “certain or slightly likely” to get their young children immunized against COVID-19.
One in four parents (25 per cent) indicated that they wouldn’t immunize their kids against the coronavirus, while the rest said they were either “definitely not” (1 per cent) or “not sure” (36 per cent).
About half (49 per cent) said their children under the age of six would get their doses without hesitation, with the rest saying they’re “neutral to unsure” on the matter.
For the survey to be conducted, the Health Department recruited parents who took their children to scheduled health services in early April for well-child screenings.
The findings suggest parents are increasingly concerned about the disease’s impact on their children, as well as how it would affect the lives they’re living. More than 14 per cent of parents said the virus had been a “significant factor” in changing how they raised their children, compared to 5 per cent in March, while 22 per cent said it was a “major factor.”
Asked about their plans for the event, which starts Wednesday, when Toronto Public Health will launch an outreach campaign that will last until March 31 to bring the virus to an audience of more than 5,000 citizens.
“What concerns us is if it’s a vaccine or not, do we keep our immunization programs going or what?” Dr. Ethel Peplau, who led the study, told CTV Toronto.
“I’m hearing a lot of parents say, ‘we don’t know