TORONTO – The Covid-19 vaccine is expected to join the list of nine mandatory vaccines for Ontario students. This is what the Toronto Medical Officer of Health Eileen de Villa says in a report submitted to the Toronto Board of Health asked the provincial government to add this vaccine to those provided for by the Immunization of School Pupils Act. 

In a few days – during the meeting of September 27 to be exact – the Board of Health will consider the recommendation of Dr. de Villa. A recommendation, this, that if it were accepted and became law would have the effect of a tsunami amid controversy of all kinds fomented above all by the anti vax and by those who consider vaccines for children unsafe.

In Ontario, at the moment, children attending primary and secondary schools must be immunized against nine diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, whooping cough and chickenpox.

But clashes, debates, discussions are now inevitable with regard to the immunization of the younger sections of the population.

Today, among other things, the news that the Anti-Covid vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech is also safe for children between 5 and 11 years of age: the results of clinical trials, says the pharmaceutical company, showed that the vaccine is “well tolerated” and produces a “robust” immune response. In addition, the companies note, immunization of children is considered the key to keeping schools open.

Even before the Medical Officer of Health of Toronto to break an arrow in favor of the mandatory anti-Covid-19 vaccine was the chair of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Alexander Brown: the request, so far remained unanswered, was made to the government of the province because, as we read on the TDSB website “the inclusion of Covid-19 vaccines in the list, not only will it further protect students, staff and their families from the virus, but it will also allow schools to remain open during the fourth wave.”

In a letter published Friday on the Toronto District School Board website, Alexander Brown said that including Covid-19 vaccines on the list will not only further protect students, staff and their families from the virus, but will also allow schools to remain open during the fourth wave.

“As you know, medical professionals and government officials in our city, province and country continue to point out that vaccinations are our biggest defense against Covid-19 and that being fully vaccinated significantly reduces the most serious risks associated with the virus including variants of great concern – Brown wrote in the letter addressed to Education Minister Stephen Lecce, to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Kieran Moore and Dr de Villa herself – we hope you will consider our request.”

De Villa, it seems, has already taken it in consideration. The issue is undoubtedly thorny but with the pressure that is getting stronger and stronger, the government will not be able to continue to do like the ostrich that hides its head in the sand so as not to face the problems.