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Media Release: Youth encouraged to get booster dose as soon as eligible

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Feb. 17, 2022

As the Province continues its cautious approach to Reopening Ontario, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) thanks residents for their continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Starting tomorrow, youth aged 12 to 17 are eligible for a booster dose 168 days after their second dose.

How to get a booster dose

Eligible youth will receive the Pfizer vaccine, as this is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 12 to 17. To get the vaccine, youth do not need a health card but will need to provide informed consent. This means that they have read and understand information about the COVID-19 vaccine.

In our region, youth can get a booster dose:

“Vaccines continue to be the best protection from serious health consequences due to COVID-19,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “Canadian adolescents 12 to 17 are facing record-high incidence rates of COVID-19 during this new wave, driven in large part by Omicron, and I encourage them to get a booster dose as soon as they are eligible.”

Families are encouraged to make informed decisions about vaccination by reviewing evidence-based information that has been verified by experts. Ontario’s Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Table has a website kidshealthfirst.ca which offers resources for parentsyouth, and health care/social service providers. Other evidence-based resources include:

Additional information about vaccine safety, potential side effects, and building immunity is available at hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines/ If you still have questions about the vaccine after reviewing this information, please talk to your primary care provider.

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Media contacts

Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
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.

We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.

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COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination is now available to the general population. Options for booking an appointment: