TORONTO – By the end of June, the vaccination campaign in Ontario will also be extended to young people, from 12 to 17 years of age. Ontario’s Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, however, was keen to clarify that the vaccine against Covid-19 will not be mandatory for this age range.

“Many young people will require parental consent to have the vaccine. – said Minister Elliott yesterday, during a press conference – “If parents do not want their son or daughter to be vaccinated, and such approval is requested, it will not be imposed on them. Instead, we encourage people” – continued the Minister for Health – “to receive the vaccine as soon as it is time to protect themselves and their loved ones, but at this point, it will not be mandatory “.

Elliott said it has always been a matter of choice whether or not people want to get the vaccine. The Ontario government had set June as a target date to immunize older youth too, using the Pfizer vaccine which has been approved by Health Canada for that specific age group just last week.