Canada is planning a law to criminalize protests against vaccination in hospitals.

Attorney General David Lametti on Friday unveiled plans to amend the Criminal Code that would provide for up to ten years' imprisonment if, for example, health care workers were intimidated or prevented from doing their job.

"We have all seen the protests during the pandemic, including this week," Lametti told journalists, pointing to "Covid deniers trying to prevent children from receiving potentially life-saving vaccines."

He called it "despicable and unacceptable" to "intimidate, harass, hinder or threaten" those involved.

Children ages five to eleven have been able to be vaccinated in Canada since Wednesday after Ottawa approved the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine for that age group.

Medical Association President Katherine Smart said there had been "an unfortunate escalation of hatred," including violence, against doctors and carers at work last year.