Despite protests, 800 children receive COVID-19 vaccine on first day of eligibility
Author of the article:Trevor Wilhelm
Publishing date: Nov 25, 2021 • 2 days ago • 2 minute read • 37 Comments
About 800 children received the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday on their first day of eligibility in Windsor, despite the efforts of protesters to stop them.
“It is disappointing people are still trying to stop children and parents from getting their children vaccinated,” said hospital CEO David Musyj. “We will continue to work with Windsor Police Service to stop this inappropriate behaviour by picketers from happening.”
He said about 800 children between the ages of five and 11 received vaccines on Thursday. Another 1,000 or so people aged 12 and up also received first, second or third doses.
There are roughly 33,000 eligible children aged 11 or under in Windsor-Essex. The vaccine centre is booked with about 1,000 children a day through Monday.
While the announcement that children can now be vaccinated prompted thousands calls for appointments, it also sparked plans for a protest.
About 30 or 40 protesters were outside the vaccination centre Thursday at any given time. Some carried signs that read “Stop the poison,” “It’s not a vaxx it’s a bioweapon,” “Kids don’t get it … kids don’t spread it. No masks! No jabs!” and “Our kids are not lab rats!!!”
“You would hope that the people picketing recognize those who are coming have already made a decision,” said Musyj. “It’s done. They’re not going to change, so why attempt to engage with them?”
Picketers tried talking with parents and passing them leaflets. After setting up at the entrance of the vaccination centre, some protesters were removed from the property and told to stay on the sidewalk.
“There were some complaints about their contact with parents,” said Musyj. “We will continue to work with Windsor Police Service and Devonshire Mall leadership to ensure everyone attending the vaccination is safe and those not adhering to our requests to not come onto mall/hospital property will be addressed quickly up to and including criminal charges.”