City of Calgary looking at ways to boost vaccination numbers in children

Vaccination rates in young children in Alberta have been quite low — with only 39 per cent of kids aged five to 11 having at least one dose.

A disparity is also being seen in Calgary, with some wealthier neighbourhoods showing over 60 per cent of children vaccinated, while only 20 per cent of kids in the northeast have their shot.

On Tuesday, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the City is going to do what it can to get those numbers up.

“We will do everything we can to make sure that we are able to support the provincial initiative,” said Gondek. “We will remind our provincial partners where their supports are needed and we will deploy our mobile vehicles to wherever we can possibly get them out.”

Previous initiatives in the city’s northeast quadrant have helped lead to vaccination rates shooting up in past weeks.

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Gondek says it’s even more important now given the situation kids are in.

“It’s important to remember that vaccinating kids is a significant task and it’s one that we have to undertake in a united manner, especially because they are back at school.”