Children vaccination rates are low
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is urging parents to make sure their children between the ages of 5 and 11 get both shots of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they’re eligible.
It’s also now recommending a third shot for children whose immune systems are compromised.
The advice comes as inoculations for children who lag across the country.
Only 51 percent of eligible children have received at least one dose.
Mental health issues are high
A new survey shows feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness are at their highest levels since early in the pandemic.
The poll shows 25 percent of adults surveyed suffered moderate to severe anxiety, up from 19 percent last July.
About 24 percent experienced feelings of loneliness….up from about 18 percent last summer.
The increase in mental health issues was higher among women than men.
A meeting with nurses
Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott have agreed to meet with nurses to discuss the staff shortages across the province.
The meeting, to be held next Thursday with the Ontario Nurses Association, comes after similar requests were rejected by the government.
The Association also wants to discuss Bill 124, which limits most public service wage increases to one percent, a prime reason, it says, for nurses leaving the profession.
