All Children Aged Five to 11 Can Receive A First Dose of Protection from the COVID-19 Vaccine In Advance of Holiday Season
TORONTO — Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General, issued the following statement regarding Health Canada’s approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11:
“Health Canada’s approval of the paediatric Pfizer vaccine for ages five to 11 is encouraging news for the health and well-being of children across our province, especially as more people move indoors and attend family gatherings during the colder months this winter.
The federal government has provided assurances that we will receive enough doses to vaccinate all children aged five to 11. 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.
Over the coming days, parents will hear additional details from their local public health units. Vaccines will be available through familiar channels such as select doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies and school-based clinics.
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 public health unit.
We understand that parents may have questions. That’s why we are working closely with public health units, children’s hospitals, children’s services and other health experts, including partnering with SickKids to allow for confidential, convenient and accessible vaccine consultation services for children, youth and their families. We are also working with Indigenous partners and community leaders to ensure equitable access to the vaccine.
Team Ontario is ready to ensure that every child is able to benefit from the strong protection offered by the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Ministry of Health
Solicitor General
November 19, 2021
Read this news update on our website.
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