Thread by @CanPaedSociety

1/7 Lifting mask mandates and other public health measures while so few children are vaccinated puts them disproportionately at risk.
Mask-wearing reduces the risk of indoor transmission, especially in schools and other group settings. @AdrianaLaGrange
canada.ca/en/public-heal…

2/7 Public health officials are best placed to determine when immunization rates are high enough and conditions appropriate to lift protective measures like mask mandates.

3/7 We should be doing everything possible to reduce the risk of virus transmission in schools, and avoid the potential for further disruptions to in-person learning. @Sflecce #onpoli

4/7 More targeted efforts--ensuring #vaccines are accessible to all--are needed to increase immunization rates among children 5 to 11 years. #abpoli #skpoli @JasonCoppingAB

cps.ca/en/documents/p…

5/7 Across Canada, only 54.6% of children 5 to 11 years old have received at least one dose of #COVID19 vaccine, and only 16.1% are fully vaccinated.
health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/vacci…

6/7 In Alberta, less than half (46.3%) of children 5 to 11 years have received one dose of #COVID19 vaccine. #abpoli
alberta.ca/stats/covid-19…

7/7 Parents should be advised that wearing masks at school will help reduce the risk of transmission, especially until more children are vaccinated.
caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healt…
#abpoli #skpoli @Albertadoctors @SMA_docs