Approximately 10,500 Guelph Children Ages 5 to 11 Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine | The Canadian News

Guelph’s public health unit says around 10,500 children ages 5 to 11 in the city are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and Health Canada is expected to announce approval of Pfizer’s pediatric vaccines on Friday.

There are about 7,500 eligible children in Wellington County and another 5,500 in Dufferin County.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health said its immediate vaccination target is about 70 percent of the eligible population, while its overall goal is to vaccinate 90 percent of children against COVID-19.

On Thursday, medical health officer Dr. Nicola Mercer announced a regional plan to vaccinate children, which would see vaccines reach children’s arms by the end of next week.

“We have said throughout the pandemic that our goal is always to ‘be prepared, not be prepared,’” Dr. Mercer said. “The childhood vaccination program is another example. Our plan mobilizes partners across the region to vaccinate children as quickly as possible. “

The plan includes three ways to get vaccinated: primary care providers, pharmacies, and public health clinics.

Most children will be vaccinated through their primary care provider, and many local family health teams and doctors are already beginning to schedule appointments, the health unit said.

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As with adult vaccines, public health will also host central clinics in larger populated areas, mobile clinics in smaller communities, pop-up clinics, school-based clinics, accessible clinics for children in need, and clinics in congregational settings. for children and treatment centers. .

“This is a huge step forward for our region,” said Dr. Mercer.

“I share the enthusiasm of parents and residents of the region that we are about to protect our children against COVID-19. It represents one of the remaining key steps to end this pandemic and return to a more normal pattern of life. “

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