'It doesn’t really hurt, it was quick and easy': Kids roll up their sleeves across Alberta to get COVID-19 vaccine
It was mostly all smiles at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge and maybe even a few tears as kids rolled up their sleeves across Alberta Friday to receive their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It’s been a long time coming, I’m probably going to go home and cry,” said Tabatha Beggs, whose two daughters were receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine.
Kids aged five to 11 in Alberta are now able to get their first COVID-19 shot. For Beggs, the vaccine is just another step forward.
“We’re looking to get back to normal life, you know, we want to send the kids back to gymnastics, we want to be able to travel, we want to do things again,” said Beggs.
Seven-year-old Savi and her 11-year-old sister Isabella Beggs say the process wasn’t nearly as scary as it was thought to be.
Kids aged five to 11 in Alberta are now able to get their first COVID-19 shot.
“It was okay – it was fine. It doesn’t hurt, it was very quick and easy. – it was just like a little pinch and then it’s done,” said both Savi and Isabella.
Families that spoke to CTV News say they were pretty eager about being offered the shot.
“She was pretty excited, she was listening to the news and I heard squealing – running up stairs, I thought something was wrong and she said she finally gets to have her shot so we got up first thing in the morning and we went and signed up for it – she was pretty excited,” said Amy Adelman whose 11-year-old daughter received her first shot.
“Once [the needle] goes in, it’s just one shot and really quick, so everyone should get it so you can you’re keeping others safe and not putting them in danger,” said 11-year-old Zosia Adelman.
NO WAIT
Those at Exhibition Park on Friday say there was no wait to get in and the process ran smoothly.
“It’s a good opportunity so we took it right away, first thing we could and here we are,” said Patrick Knox, whose nine-year-old daughter received her first shot. “Not overly busy either, so not too much of a lineup.”
The vaccine is only being offered at AHS clinics and select pharmacies in Alberta. Exhibition Park is the only clinic in Lethbridge to offer the jab to kids between five and 11.
For parents who may still be a bit hesitant, Amber Mueller, a pharmacist at Stafford Pharmacy in Lethbridge, said the pediatric Pfizer vaccine is a lower dosage and has gone through clinical trials throughout the past year on people over the age of 12.
“It is a great time for kids to get the vaccine as we do see it’s a safe option and it is very effective,” said Mueller.
Parents say they had no issues when trying to book an appointment online. To book an appointment, visit here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.