No back-to-school in June, more youth now eligible for vaccines

Remote learning will continue for all elementary and secondary students across the province for the remainder of this school year in an effort to protect families from the fast growing variants, and to allow for higher rates of vaccination of students, staff, and families, announced Premier Doug Ford Wednesday.
The goal is to allow for a safer summer and return to in-person learning in September.
“At a time when our top priority is putting the third wave behind us so that we can safely enter Step One of our Roadmap to Reopen, we can’t risk increased cases and potential downstream impacts on hospitals and ICUs,” said Ford. “Making this tough decision now will allow kids to safely enjoy camps and outdoor activities this summer, and a safe return to school in September.”
Recent modelling presented by the Science Advisory Table revealed that if Ontario reopened schools to in-person learning the province could see an increase of six to 11 per cent in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments have opened to youth 12-17. The health unit is encouraging youth to book their first dose in June with the expectation that they will receive their second dose two weeks before school starts. Health officials say vaccines are an important tool in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and allow students and families to resume normal activities and can help to keep schools open. 
Vaccine appointments can be made through ontario.ca/bookvaccine or the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. To book an appointment online, individuals must already be 12 years old as of the date of their booking and be able to provide informed consent before receiving their vaccine.
For more information about COVID-19 and who is eligible for an appointment, please visit the COVID-19 pages at www.smdhu.org.