OPEN LETTER TO SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

Dear Trustees of the Ottawa-Carlton District School Board,It has been brought to my attention that you are about to vote on a new policy requiring mandatory vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 for all eligible students. In my professional opinion as an expert vaccinologist, the risk-benefit profile of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines currently being used in Canada does not support mandating immunization of students. 

An executive summary of my concerns can be found in the attached letter. Due to the substantial implications of the decision that you will be making and the serious concerns that I have cited I request that you, at a minimum, delay your vote to carefully consider the full spectrum of the science. Indeed, the data are ever evolving with notable concerns arising within the past couple of weeks, including public admissions that the duration of immunity conferred by the COVID-19 vaccines is incredibly short, thereby necessitating third doses (and possibly more in the future) that exacerbate the safety concerns that existed when the regimen involved only two doses. 

Of major concern, evidence from three independent studies suggest that vaccine-associated adverse events are more severe in people that have naturally acquired immunity from a previous infection. These people do not require immunization because they already have robust protection. To force them to be vaccinated would put them at unnecessary and enhanced risk of harm. Another study has shown that for males 12 to 15 years of age, the risk of cardiac complications due to vaccination are 6X greater than the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19. 

As a public servant who loves vaccines and is passionate about ensuring a net benefit to the health of Canadians, I would be happy to make myself available for a future board meeting to present additional data and answer any questions that you may have.  

Sincerely, Dr Byram Bridle

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