Reservations for COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to five years old will open across Ontario next week.
The province announced that appointments will be available starting at 8:00 a.m. Thursday
Just one week ago, Health Canada approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for infants and preschoolers, marking the country’s first vaccine approval for that age group. The vaccine dose for children is a quarter of the adult dose.
Over the next few days, pediatric vaccines will be distributed across the province and will be available through public health unit clinics, as well as participating pediatricians, primary care providers and pharmacies.
“The approval of a lower-dose Moderna pediatric vaccine will give families the opportunity to provide an additional layer of protection against COVID-19 to the youngest members of their families,” the Deputy First Minister and Minister said on Thursday of Health Sylvia Jones in a statement.
Parents and caregivers will be able to book appointments at the COVID-19 vaccination portal, Provincial Vaccine Contact Center (1-833-943-3900), directly through the respective reservation systems of public health units, providers primary care participants and pediatricians.
Participating pharmacies and Indigenous-led vaccination clinics will also have availability.
“While most children who become infected have no or mild symptoms, some can become very ill and require hospitalisation,” Dr Kieran Moore, chief medical officer of health, said on Thursday.
Even if a child has already been infected with COVID-19, the top doctor said the vaccine will provide better protection and help improve their immune response.
Immunocompromised teenagers aged 12 to 17 will also be able to book a second booster on Thursday, as long as at least six months have passed since their first booster.