Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccines have officially arrived in London, with doses starting to reach the arms of children between the ages of five and 11 as of Friday.
Just last Friday, Health Canada approved the Pfizer pediatric vaccine for children ages five to 11, and appointments were opened for that age group on Tuesday.
The dose for those between the ages of five and 11 has a lower concentration of antigen, the part of the vaccine that increases the development of antibodies.
Since appointments were opened, the Acting Health Medical Officer for the Middlesex London Health Unit reports that more than 8,000 have been registered.
“This represents more than 22 percent of the population ages five to 11 in our region,” said Dr. Alex Summers.
Summers said the health unit has gone to great lengths to make sure the vaccine experience is as friendly and enjoyable as possible for the little ones.
“We have been working to make sure these clinics are places that children and families want to go,” said Summers.
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To help children feel less scared, Summers said they will be welcomed by the vaccine superhero and posters and stickers will be posted to guide families to the colorful vaccine capsules.
Televisions and distortion tools will be in place to make children feel more at ease.
Once vaccinated, Summers said children will also receive a colorful sticker for each dose of vaccine.
“We are ready, excited and tomorrow will be a huge and incredible day for our health unit and our children,” said Summers.
“We are getting there, it has been a routine, but we have been in this for a long time, but we are making it.”
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On Tuesday, the Middlesex London Health Unit reported that 90 percent of all eligible residents aged 12 and over have received at least one dose.
90 percent applies to everyone living in the London and Middlesex region born in 2009 or earlier, and 87.2 percent of that age group is considered fully vaccinated, having received a second dose.
Children under the age of 11 account for more than 21% of active cases and have the second highest percentage of cases per 100,000 compared to all other age groups.
In terms of vaccination rates, between the ages of 12 and 17, 83.8% have at least one dose and 89.7% are fully vaccinated.
Appointments for children under 11 are not yet available, but when they are, people can find the information on the health unit’s website, where residents can also find information about emerging clinics, mass vaccination clinics and pharmacies; guidance for anyone vaccinated outside the province or country; transportation support for the needy; and more.
Anyone who wants to get tested for COVID-19 can find information about the test site locations on the health unit website.
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