How will the delta variant affect kids? Experts explain what we know and what we don’t – CBC

Manitoba doctor says higher community vaccination rates can reduce illness burden for those under 12

Aug 09, 2021

As Manitoba parents get ready to send their kids back to school next month, a critical question remains unanswered: What effect will the delta coronavirus strain have on kids too young to be vaccinated?

“It’s a timely question obviously,” said Dr. Jeff Burzynski, a pediatric intensive care and emergency physician at Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital. “As we’re seeing a lot of media reports coming out of the southern U.S. in particular of … higher numbers of infections in children, particularly with the delta variant.”

There are no approved COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 12 and that’s raising concerns about what a surge in the more infectious delta variant could mean for kids. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned last month that Canada could be seeing the start of a delta variant-driven fourth wave of COVID-19.

Burzynski said in areas where COVID-19 case numbers increase, there’s likely also to be an uptick in the number of children who test positive. He expects community vaccination rates to play a role.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-delta-variant-affect-kids-experts-explain-1.6134110