Ontario is working with the federal government to confirm the timing of when children in the province can start receiving COVID-19 vaccines, says Health Minister Christine Elliott.
Today, Health Canada approved the vaccine for children ages five to 11. People may be able to book appointments as early as next week.
The approval is encouraging news as people move indoors for the winter, said Elliott in a statement issued with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
She said there have been assurances from the federal government that there will be enough doses to vaccinate all eligible children.
"We are working with the federal government to confirm and finalize details on the specific timing of shipments, and we stand ready to begin distributing and administering doses as soon as they arrive," reads the statement.
Children who get vaccinated will receive a smaller dose than the over-12 vaccine, and they'll get two doses three weeks apart.
In the coming days, the provincial statement says parents will hear additional details from local public health units.
"Vaccines will be available through familiar channels such as select doctors' offices, hospitals, pharmacies and school-based clinics," it said.
"In addition, public health units will continue to offer vaccines through successful mass vaccination clinics. Parents will be able to book appointments through the provincial online booking portal for mass vaccination sites, including school-based clinics in public health units using the provincial booking system, starting early next week once we have received final details from the federal government and can confirm allocations for each health unit."
On Wednesday (Nov. 17), prior to the official Health Canada approval announcement, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, said he expected kids would be able to get a vaccine within November.
“We’re prepared for that and we have our clinics running now,” said Gardner, noting the health unit opened several community immunization clinics on Nov. 15.
The health unit confirmed today it will announce next week the details for the local distribution of children's vaccinations against COVID-19.
Associate medical officer of health for the region, Dr. Lisa Simon, said the health unit is pleased to see Health Canada has authorized a children's dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
"This is the next major step in our efforts, locally and beyond, to protect children and our communities more broadly from the COVID-19 pandemic," said Simon in an emailed statement. "The health unit is anticipating receiving the pediatric formulation of the vaccine within the coming week."
She said the vaccine would then be made available through community clinics and pharmacies.
"We expect appointments to be available in the provincial vaccine appointment booking system early next week," said Simon, noting appointments will be offered within days after booking opens.
Currently, the region’s highest case incidence is in children and youth under 18 years old, with many cases in kids under 12 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
“It speaks to the vulnerability of those who aren’t immunized right now,” said Gardner on Wednesday. “It speaks to the importance of us being able to commence immunization and for parents to come forward and have your children vaccinated once they are eligible to do so.”
There are 14 community vaccine clinics now open in the region offering first and second dose COVID vaccines to anyone above 12 years old, and third dose appointments for those who are eligible.
Appointments are required for the community clinics, but the health unit posts a weekly walk-in schedule on its website here.
