MLHU Says Launch of COVID-19 Vaccine for 34,000 Children Ages 5-11 Would Happen Quickly Once Approved – London | The Canadian News

London’s medical director for health says children between the ages of five and 11 could start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in December, depending on approval from Health Canada.

The announcement was made during the COVID-19 press conference on Thursday.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada has been working with Pfizer to provide 2.9 million COVID-19 injections for children once Health Canada approves vaccines for children ages five to 11.

“This can be available as early as December, roughly two weeks to a month,” said Dr. Chris Mackie.

Locally, the Middlesex London Health Unit estimates that there are 34,000 children between the ages of five and 11 who would be eligible for the vaccine.

Mackie said the rollout would be similar to the first wave of vaccines, with the health unit using mass vaccination clinics at Western Fair Agriplex and the Caradoc Community Center in Mount Brydges, with pharmacies helping as well.

“For our massive clinics that are currently walk-in, we would go back to an appointment-based system just because of volume,” Mackie said. “It will not be possible for everyone to show up on the first day.”

He estimates that it will take the health unit two to three weeks to see all the children to make sure they receive their first dose and the same when it is time to give them the second.

“Once the launch begins, given the incredible upturn we’ve seen locally in the 12-17 age group, I am quite optimistic that this will be a true game changer in what we all hope will be a winter. much safer and more enjoyable, ”said London Mayor Ed Holder.

Pfizer submitted initial trial data to Health Canada for its COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11 in early October.

The company made its formal request this week, noting that its clinical trials showed an immune response comparable to that seen in children 12 and older, for whom its vaccine is already approved.

Pediatric doses for people between the ages of five and 11 will be approximately one-third the size of the doses given to adults and adolescents.

Information on how to reserve a vaccination is available at the health unit website.

—With files from Amanda Connolly of Global News

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