Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, parents will be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine for their kids aged 5 to 11.
The province says approximately one million children in that age group are eligible to receive the vaccine which will keep the province’s schools safer and open for in-person learning.
Appointments can be booked through the province’s online COVID-19 vaccination portal and contact centre, directly through public health units using their own booking system, participating pharmacies and select primary care providers.
“The approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11 is exciting news for families and represents a bright light at the end of the tunnel,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Offering the protection of the vaccine to children aged five to 11 is a significant milestone in Ontario’s fight against COVID-19 in advance of the holiday season. We continue to encourage all Ontarians to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities.”
To book an appointment online, children must be turning five years old by the end of 2021 (born in 2016).
Ontario is expected to receive 1,076,000 doses of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government, which will then be immediately distributed to public health units, pharmacies, and primary care settings across the province. Appointments across the province are expected to begin as early as November 25 when the federal supply arrives at vaccine clinics across the province.
“Receiving vaccine approval for children aged five to 11 is another critical milestone in our vaccination efforts,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Across the province, Ontarians have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19 and now parents can take comfort in knowing their children will also have the opportunity to be protected.”
“Increasing vaccine rates will help to further minimize disruption and keep students learning in a more normal in-class experience,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “As a result of widespread ventilation improvements, increasing investments, and comprehensive testing options, Ontario has one of the lowest case rates for youth under 20 in Canada.”
In addition, the province, in conjunction with Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, has launched Operation Remote Immunity 3.0 (ORI 3.0) to support the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged five to 11 in Northern and Remote First Nation communities, as well as booster doses to eligible populations. ORI 3.0 will run until March 2022.
“Keeping a low rate of infection in our communities is vital to keeping our schools, our businesses and our social settings as safe as possible while minimizing disruption,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “The paediatric Pfizer vaccine offered to children aged five to 11 will be a lower dose that is safe and effective at protecting this age group from COVID-19 and the Delta variant. I strongly encourage every parent and caregiver to get their younger children vaccinated and protected.”
For some of Frequently Asked Questions about the Paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, please click here.
It’s okay to have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. Our QA has answers to frequently asked questions:…
Posted by Ontario Ministry of Health on Monday, November 22, 2021
As of 8 a.m. on November 23, children five to 11 will be eligible to book a vaccine appointment:
– at https://t.co/BqXNJQ33VV or by calling 1-833-943-3900
– through #PublicHealth units using their own booking system
– participating pharmacies
– select primary care providers pic.twitter.com/pbbmIVChvs— Ontario Ministry of Health (@ONThealth) November 22, 2021
As of 8 a.m. on November 23, children five to 11 will be eligible to book a vaccine appointment:
– at https://t.co/pxlgLpkLxR or by calling 1-833-943-3900
– through #PublicHealth units using their own booking system
– participating pharmacies
– select primary care providers pic.twitter.com/S94mRajBlY— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) November 22, 2021