London parents rush to vaccinate children ahead of return to class

Among the Londoners getting their COVID-19 shots at the Agriplex on Wednesday were parents rushing to get their children vaccinated ahead of their return to in-class learning on Monday.

Many students in the city will return to the classroom after two weeks of learning at home, but there are worries about ventilation in the classrooms and questions about whether people will be getting the types of PPE they need. 

This, coupled with news that parents won't know if there are COVID-19 cases or outbreaks in their kid's classes, makes this return a stressful one. 

Here's what some parents and students had to say as they headed into the vaccination centre on Wednesday. 

Kyleigh Alexander

Alexander came with both of her children to get them their second shots at the same time. 

"We moved up the vaccination — the second dose — earlier so that they could be double-vaccinated prior to their return to school," said Alexander. "That was the intention, to try to hopefully make it as safe as possible for their return."

Her son, Kaden, is pretty well protected to go back to class, but he isn't as excited about it as his mother. 

"I like going on my screens," he explained. 

He said he's not worried about COVID-19, but would prefer to stick to online learning anyway.

Carol Stewart

Stewart also moved up the second-dose appointment for her daughter. 

"We're getting my eight-year-old vaccinated because we understand, as far as we know, that schools are returning on Monday," she said, "And we just want to give her every advantage."

She has a list of concerns about the return, including not knowing the vaccine status of the other students, the ventilation in the classrooms and whether the teachers will be equipped with the PPE they need. 

"I think that there is much more that could've been done, particularly over the Christmas break and even over the last several months to make schools safer."  

Helen and Edriane Abad

Helen and Edriane Abad were hesitant to give their daughter the vaccine at first.

"We were very worried at the beginning to vaccinate her because growing up, [she was] … always in the hospital for viruses and stuff," Edriane explained. 

In the end, they opted for the shot and she got her first one this week. 

"We feel safe for her to go back to school next week if she's immunized or vaccinated," said Helen, who got her booster shot at the same time. 

As for their daughter Olivia: she's excited to get back to school and with good reason. 

"I get to see my friends again," she explained.