Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/May 22, 2021 – As recently announced by the province, youth aged 12 and over will be eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre beginning Sunday May 23. However, due to limited vaccine supply in our region and a large number of eligible individuals, there is no guarantee when appointments will be available through the provincial system.
The province has made a commitment to offering first and second doses to eligible youth before the end of the summer. In order to ensure eligible youth have access to vaccines within these timelines, HPEPH will be holding special youth clinics in the next few weeks. These clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine, which is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 12 and over.
Booking information for these clinics will be shared with eligible youth through their school board/school in the coming days. Please be patient as HPEPH finalizes clinic plans. HPEPH is working together with local school boards and schools to provide families with this important information.
Infection prevention protocols have ensured the potential of COVID-19 transmission in the school setting has remained low in HPEC. Ensuring the vaccine is available to eligible youth will further reduce potential risk for everyone in a school setting. All eligible students are encouraged to look for information about special clinics for youth take advantage of this opportunity to help keep our schools and community as safe as possible.
The following resources are available to help youth and families make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination:
- COVID-19 Vaccine for Youth – FAQ
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Youth
- COVID-19 Vaccine Consent form for Youth
Additional information about vaccine safety, potential side effects, and building immunity is available at covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth.
While Youth are Waiting for an Appointment
We will continue our efforts to vaccinate all those who are eligible. In the meantime, youth are asked to continue following all public health precautions such as leaving home only for essential reasons, limiting close contact to those within your household, wearing a face covering when distancing is not possible, and washing your hands frequently. If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, isolate from others and get tested and stay home until you receive negative test results.
Please visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information on everything related to vaccines. HPEPH thanks all members of the community for your patience and enthusiasm as we work diligently to offer vaccines to all those who are eligible.
Media Contacts:
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
