Hastings and Prince Edward Counties – Nov. 22, 2021 – Beginning this week, HPEPH will be offering vaccination clinics for children aged 5 to 11. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region and with the holiday season approaching, getting everyone fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is more important than ever.
To book your child’s appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination at an upcoming public health immunization clinic, please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine on or after Tuesday, November 23 to view available appointments. Children born in 2016 and earlier can also receive the vaccine at participating local pharmacies.
If you would like to review additional information about vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11, including information about safety and the approval process, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth.
COVID-19 vaccination will help keep kids safe from serious side effects of the virus and will also help avoid disruption in their lives. Getting vaccinated will help children get back to enjoying all the activities they love, and will help reduce potential absences from school, sports, or other activities they enjoy. While COVID-19 tends to be mild in children and youth, some do experience severe cases, side effects, and even hospitalization.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been thoroughly tested to ensure it is safe for children aged 5 to 11. Health Canada reviews vaccines thoroughly before approval, to ensure that benefits outweigh any potential risks. No compromises have been made in the testing and approval process. The pediatric Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 5 to 11. Children in this age group will receive a smaller dose than those aged 12 and older (10mcg), and to be fully vaccinated they must receive a second dose a minimum of eight weeks after the first. Helpful information and resources for children and their families to make informed decisions about vaccination are available at hpePublicHealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth.
HPEPH is working to ensure that vaccination opportunities are accessible and welcoming for children and their families. HPEPH nurses have received additional training in immunizing children and will treat your child with compassion and respect. HPEPH vaccination clinics will be available at a variety of times and locations, and pop-up clinics will also be offered in the coming weeks. Children aged 5 to 11 can also receive the vaccination at participating local pharmacies. For vaccination opportunities, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking.
“We know that parents want to make a decision that is best for their children, and COVID-19 vaccination has been thoroughly tested to ensure it is safe for children and youth,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Acting Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “The pandemic has been especially difficult for families of young children, who continue to be impacted by absences from school, sports, or other activities they love. Vaccination will help keep these children as safe as possible, while reducing disruptions in their lives.”
Planning for your child’s appointment
To help reduce potential anxiety, talk to your child about why the vaccine is important, and what to expect at their appointment. When planning to attend your child’s appointment, please have them wear a short-sleeved shirt (or other shirt that allows the upper arm to be easily accessible). While food and drink are not allowed in the clinic, please have them eat something before the appointment, and have something ready for them to eat afterwards. Consider bringing a book or toy to distract them during the vaccination and the required 15-minute wait time. To help maintain physical distancing, we ask that only one caregiver attend with each child.
For more information and other helpful resources to help you and your child prepare for their appointment, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth. If you still have questions after reviewing our web page, registered nurses at SickKids hospital are available listen and answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. You can book a consultation to speak with a nurse at SickKids.
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Media contacts
Emily Tubbs
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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