Ottawa Public Health expands COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children aged six months to under five years

Last week, the Province of Ontario announced that starting at 8 am on Thursday, July 28, 2022 parents and guardians will be able to book appointments for children aged six months to under five years for the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine. Immunocompromised youth aged 12 to 17 will also be able to schedule their second booster (fifth dose) at least six months or 168 days after their first booster (fourth dose).

This lower dose paediatric COVID-19 vaccine, by Moderna, has gone through a very strict approval process from Health Canada. Health Canada and The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) have reviewed how the vaccine benefits individuals, while also looking at any risk for possible side effects from the vaccine. The paediatric vaccine has been approved as safe and effective.

Children under five have been the only major population group without the protection offered from vaccination, leaving many parents worried about their children and the effects of a potential COVID-19 infection, including for people at higher risk around them. Having a vaccine for this age group is a vital step in protecting many more children during this resurgence of COVID-19 in our community and ahead of the school year.

Appointments can be booked through the provincial COVID-19 vaccination portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-390 or by checking local pharmacies to find locations that provide the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and guardians are encouraged to make an appointment for their children as drop-in availability will be limited at community vaccine clinics. Some primary care physicians and paediatricians may also provide this vaccine to their clients.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is working with partners to expand its current COVID-19 clinics to offer additional options for children and their families. Children in Ottawa can look forward to being vaccinated through various initiatives, including:

• Smaller, rotating family-friendly vaccination clinics operated by OPH across the city:
  • City of Ottawa buildings at 255 Centrum Boulevard, Mary Pitt Centre at 100 Constellation Drive, Walter Baker Sports Centre, Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park, and Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre and more locations to be added and communicated over the next few weeks.
  • Various partner agencies across the city, including some EarlyON centres and the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre, to be launched and communicated over the next few weeks.
  • OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.
• The Kids Come First Clinic at CHEO offers vaccinations to children who can’t attend a community vaccination clinic. Visit CHEO’s Vaccination page for details.

OPH expects to receive paediatric vaccine supply this week, with clinics welcoming this new age group as of July 28, 2022. Visit the OPH website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ChildCOVID19Vaccine for additional clinic details. New clinics and more appointments will be added to meet demand and as more vaccine supply is received.

OPH is working to make vaccination for children and their families as easy and comfortable as possible, with the option of smaller vaccine clinic spaces, COVID-19 safety precautions, immunization staff trained in administering vaccines to children, superhero photo stations and fun stickers to take home. Parents and guardians can visit our website to get tips on how to prepare for their child’s appointment, such as giving children a snack beforehand and bringing a comforting toy or music to listen to.