The Northwestern Health Unit is preparing should a COVID-19 vaccine be approved for children five to 11 years old.
Pfizer Canada is expected to seek Health Canada authorization for it’s COVID-19 vaccine to be approved for kids as young as five by mid-October.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says the health unit is working on a rollout plan.
“It could be school clinics or it could be through mass immunization clinics, so we’re trying to figure out how to meet the demands of a number of different vaccination efforts that are required over the fall season and how to make this part of the overall plan.”
Dr. Young Hoon continues, “We also have to plan for ongoing first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, any direction on third doses for other populations, the influenza immunization program and then also catch up vaccinations for other types of vaccines particularly in the school age groups.”
Dr. Young Hoon notes they are still expecting additional information to come forward.
Pediatric data on those between five and 11 years of age has shown a strong and safe immune response from two doses, with the caveat that the doses one-third the size that’s given to teens and adults.
A spokesperson of the company says they are in the final stages of the Health Canada submission and paperwork has already been submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration.
(With Files From Kevin Jeffery, Thunder Bay)
