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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021
Vol. 8 Edition 38
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Children line up to get the jab COVID-19 vaxx clinic full of kids she can help protect people like her 99-year-old great-grandmother. “We should get the vacSiblings Eden and Lucas cine so we don’t give it Hessel don’t like needles, (COVID-19) to older peobut both say they weren’t ple,” Eden explained. Her brothafraid of er, sevengetting the “It hurt a little bit, but year-old COVID-19 it’s still a good idea.” Lucas, said vaccine. he didn’t “I don’t Eden Hessel feel a thing like them,” Eden told The Voice min- when he got his shot. Sporting a superheutes after receiving her ro mask and wielding a first dose Saturday. “But I’m not scared. It large wooden sword, the hurt a little bit, but it’s Grade 2 student said he doesn’t really mind neestill a good idea.” The young cowgirl, re- dles. “I’m not scared of them,” plete in a silky pink cape and cowboy boots and he said. Mom Leann Hessel said hat, was among the 550 Chatham-Kent young- she was happy her chilsters to be immunized at dren were among the first the first children’s vaccine kids in Chatham-Kent to clinic at held at Chatham’s be immunized, adding the family Bradley has avoided Centre. “We should get the discussing It was a full any of the house, with vaccine so we don’t negatives every ap- give it (COVID-19) to put forward pointment older people.” by anti-vaxx b o o k e d . - Eden Hessel community. A total of “We don’t 1,100 shots were administered, half talk about that,” Leann of them children, the oth- said. “We do what we feel er half booster shots with is right for our family.” Chatham-Kent Public a sprinkling of adults reHealth communications ceiving their first dose. Eden, a Grade 4 stu- spokesman Jeff Moco said dent, said she was excit- interest in the children’s ed to get the vaccine so clinics has been strong. By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
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Volunteers and staff alike have done their part to take the sting out of the experience for youngsters by decorating the clinic with sparkly balloons, kites and clouds as part of a superhero theme. Children who attend are invited to dress up as their favourite character, and some staffers are also in costume. Moco said transitioning to a child-friendly vaccine centre was a pivot for the Bradley Centre team, adding staff was able to build on lessons learned from the adult clinics. Moco said the clinic intake was streamlined, separating children from adults, in order to avoid transmission of the virus. “We wanted to make sure there was no chance of spreading infection,” Moco added. Ontario Ministry of Health officials hope that COVID-19 rates will be brought down by vaccinating children, as a large portion of the province’s outbreaks are occurring in school settings. More Chatham-Kent clinics are in the works with mobile clinics planned at three area high schools. These clinics are for everyone, including parents and other com-
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
Eden and Lucas Hessel show their superhero pride after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine Saturday at the John D. Bradley Centre.
munity members who may want the jab. The Bradley Clinic will be open Tuesdays and Saturdays during the month of December.
Clinics will also be held at Blenheim District High School Dec. 6; Wallaceburg District Secondary School, Dec. 13, and Tilbury District High School
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on Dec. 20 from 3 to 8 p.m. For more information or to register, visit the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit webpage www. GetYourShotCK .
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