COVID vaccines for kids: What you need to know about the rollout in Hamilton
Get ready, kids - Hamilton is booking COVID vaccines for five- to 11- year-olds as of Tuesday, and starting to administer shots later this week.
Canada's first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children arrived at Hamilton International Airport on Sunday, days after Health Canada approved the pediatric shot.
Hamilton kids born in 2016 and earlier are eligible.
Here's what you need to know:
When can kids get the COVID vaccine in Hamilton?
Vaccinations can be booked as of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Appointments are expected to start on Thursday, Nov. 25.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. You can book through Hamilton's own booking system at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine. If you don't have an Ontario health card or either an email or cellphone that can receive texts, phone the city vaccine hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7. The hotline offers translation services.
Why should kids get the vaccine?
It is rare for children to get severely sick from COVID, but it does happen. Children have been hospitalized with and died from COVID, including in Canada, said Dr. Jeffrey Pernica, an infectious disease specialist at McMaster Children's Hospital.
Vaccinating kids can not only protect them from COVID, it can also lower their risk of passing the virus on to others who are more at risk, like older adults and individuals who are immune-compromised.
The shot will also help reduce interruptions to normal routines, like going to school or playing sports, or parents going to work.
Kids have to stay home from school if they get a cold or get COVID, said Dr. Bram Rochwerg, an ICU physician at the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. Being vaccinated helps prevent (that)."
What's different about the kid dose versus the adult one?
Five- to 11-year-olds will receive a 10-microgram dose instead of the 30-microgram dose for adults.
Will kids need two doses?
Yes. Children can get their second dose eight weeks after the first.
What if my child is turning 12 in January?
Anyone who is 11 years old in 2021 will be eligible for the 10-microgram dose. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends those who turn 12 years old before their second dose can get the 10-microgram dose for the first shot and the 30-microgram dose for the second. Alternatively, they can get the 10-microgram dose both times and NACI recommends this still be considered a completed series.
Dr. Jeffrey Pernica of McMaster Children's Hospital doesn't recommend waiting for children to turn 12 years old so they can get the adult dose instead. I think it's fine to get the 10-microgram dose now," he said. To wait for the 30-microgram dose would probably not lead to significant benefit."
Will my child need a vaccine to enter certain settings?
You can download a vaccine certificate with a QR code for your child through the Ontario portal. However, the province currently has no requirements for five- to 11-year-olds to show proof of vaccination.
Do children need parental consent to get the vaccine?
Yes, in most cases," the city says. Parents should advise the vaccinator if their child has had any previous reactions to vaccines, any health concerns, is taking medications, or has allergies to antibiotics or components of the vaccine.
How can I learn more?
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's virtual webinar for parents and caregivers is Tuesday, Nov. 23 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register by Nov. 22 at https://app.certain.com/profile/3285956.
The Provincial Vaccine Confidence Line is accessible via the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
The SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service is a by-appointment phone service for open conversation about the vaccine for children and youth. Available in multiple languages. Visit https://www.sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult.
Maria Iqbal is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator covering aging. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com