First pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointments launch for Friday in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon

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Published November 23, 2021 at 11:57 am

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Some kids between five and 11 years old could get a COVID-19 vaccine as early as Friday in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

Peel’s top doctor Lawrence Loh said he expects the first pediatric COIVD-19 vaccines will arrive in the Region “by mid-week,” and Peel Public Health (PPH) has already opened booking slots for Friday through the province’s vaccine online portal.

Loh said it’s possible some time slots may be available even sooner.

“It all depends on when the vaccine arrives, but definitely by Friday we will already be starting to have our first needles in arms for five-to-11s,” Loh told insauga.com.

As of Tuesday morning, Ontario families can book COVID-19 vaccine appointments for kids aged five to 11 years old through the provincial booking portal.

Children who are turning five before the end of 2021 are also eligible to start booking their shots.

Around half of Peel’s pediatric vaccine supply should arrive within days and Loh said parents “should try to book without delay.” He said PPH will monitor the vaccine supply and release new appointment slots “as our capacity permits.”

For second doses, Loh said most children will have to wait at least eight weeks after receiving their first shot. Some kids with specific health conditions could be granted an exception to the eight-week waiting period.

PPH is not currently planning a COVID-19 vaccine program in Peel schools, although Loh said schools may be used as “after-hours clinics.”

Loh said the five to 11 age group represents “the last remaining large susceptible high-contact population in our community.”

While the primary goal of vaccinating kids is protection, Loh said vaccinations will give youths “confidence to essentially be kids again.”

Dr. Loh teamed up with Brampton Batman last week to call on parents and children to get ready for pediatric vaccines.

Loh urged Peel residents to get vaccinated, saying “the myth that fully vaccinated people pass (COVID-19) on at the same rate as unvaccinated people is, frankly, wrong.”

Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said there were 111 new COVID-19 cases in kids aged five to 11 on Monday, and said there is a “significant benefit” to vaccinating kids.

The province has said it expects to start administering the first pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday.

For more information on pediatric COVID-19 vaccines visit Ontario.ca.

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