Tens of thousands of Quebec students still not vaccinated against COVID-19, some refusing altogether
Data from public health shows 30,000 high school students in Montreal have yet to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while others are flat out refusing to get it.
These are the latest findings in a report that oversees vaccination rates for every high school on the Island of Montreal. The vaccine is only available for those aged 12 and up.
At some schools, less than a quarter of the student body has been inoculated. With just a month to go before the start of the next academic year, officials say they're worried.
As of July 19, Marie-Claire Academy in Kirkland is boasting 100 per cent of its students have received at least one dose -- but that's just 18 students.
West Island College's English section is also reporting a high vaccination rate among students, with 92.5 per cent receiving at least one dose.
However, Yeshiva Academy states just 16 per cent of its students have received a first shot, while Mesivta School has just under 13 per cent and Belz Community High School's English section has 6.6 per cent.
Public health officials state they intend to contact thousands of students who have yet to be vaccinated to give them information and help them get an appointment if they want one.
They say they've already spoken to about 2,000 students, with 30 per cent wanting to be inoculated and 15 per cent saying they absolutely do not want the vaccine.
The Quebec government states that in order for things to go back to normal ahead of the upcoming academic year, it needs 75 per cent of students to be vaccinated.
Right now, in Montreal, just 19 per cent of people between the ages of 12 and 17 are fully vaccinated; province-wide that number is 26 per cent.
Public health says it plans on opening a vaccination clinic this weekend at La Ronde to encourage more young people to get their shot.
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.