Samantha Denuzzo said she has three children between the ages of five to 11 — and has no intention of getting them COVID-19 vaccinated.
The Newmarket mother frequents social media groups opposed to the vaccine. She said she is not convinced about the safety or need for COVID-19 vaccines among children — and there is a greater desire to push back.
“Going to be fighting back against this genocide,” Denuzzo said. “Going to start getting a little more frequent in the next coming months because they are amping up their attack on our children. Therefore, we need to amp up our defence.”
With the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine well underway for children, those opposed to the vaccine are upset and shifting focus. Parents in Barrie have voiced concerns about some parents handing out anti-vaccine literature at least two schools. York Region council received a deputation Nov. 25 from Richmond Hill resident Den Markovich who urged a stop to schools as locations for vaccine clinics and “propaganda.”
“I represent a fairly large group of parents and concerned citizens,” he said. “They face bullying, segregation and discrimination by the vaccinated students.”
Newmarket resident Jessica Di Domenico, mother of a seven-year-old, said she does not see the need for the vaccination given that children are less prone to severe reactions to the virus. She expressed concern about the rare heart conditions associated with youth vaccination earlier in the pandemic.
“Parents should be in an uproar,” she said. “I don’t think it’s the school’s place.”
But vaccination trends indicate many parents are eager to get their kids vaccinated. York Region has vaccinated 22.8 per cent of its five to 11 population as of Dec. 6, in the 10 days since vaccine clinics became available to them Nov. 26.
York Region medical officer of health Dr. Barry Pakes said Dec. 8 the local public health unit has more than 12,000 appointments booked in the coming days. He said kids need to get vaccinated, particularly with cases rising in the province.
“Our best protection against COVID-19 and the variants of concern remains vaccination,” he said. “I am pleased so many children have taken this opportunity already to better protect themselves and everyone around them.”
He noted vaccinated children are subject to less stringent quarantine protocols if they are a close contact with a case.
Public health officials have said though young people are less susceptible to COVID-19, it can still seriously affect anyone of any age. They have said it is important for everyone to get vaccinated to contain the spread.
As for heart conditions, some youth did experience heart inflammation, called myocarditis and pericarditis, after a COVID-19 vaccine. But those cases were rare, mild and had full recoveries, according to the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.
“Scientists will be watching closely to see if there are concerns about myocarditis or pericarditis for the 5-11 age group. In the Pfizer trial for this age group, no cases of myocarditis/pericarditis were observed up to three months after second vaccine doses,” the organization said in a question and answer page for child vaccination concerns linked by York Region.
But Di Domenico said she remains unconvinced, and there is nothing public health could say to sway her. She said she does not agree with the restrictions being put on unvaccinated youth given their virus recovery rates, and is concerned by the mental health toll on them.
“Children are paying a very, very, very heavy price,” she said.
Denuzzo declined to say what the increased “defence” could entail. York Region has urged for civility this fall in the face of harassment it said public health workers have faced.
Denuzzo said the only thing that could make a difference to her view is more time to ensure the vaccine is not harmful.
“They’re not giving us enough time to see that it is not dangerous for our children,” she said. “What they’re doing is the reason why people are having such a hard time accepting this.”
