WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) officials say the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six months to five years will arrive in the region this week.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children will be administered by primary care providers and in select pharmacies.
“I encourage every parent and caregiver to speak with their primary care provider or pharmacist to answer their vaccination questions – especially for children attending school or daycare this fall,” stated WDGPH Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer.
“Each one of us must continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community from COVID-19 by following public health measures – including getting vaccinated.
“I encourage everyone, regardless of age, to stay up to date with vaccinations.”
Health Canada authorized the use of the Moderna “Spikevax” COVID-19 vaccine in young children on July 14.
“After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, Health Canada has determined that the benefits of this vaccine … outweigh the potential risks,” states a Health Canada press release.
The Moderna vaccine includes a two-dose primary series of 25 micrograms each – half the dose authorized for children aged 6 to 11 and one quarter of the dose for those over 12 – to be administered at least four weeks apart.
“The clinical trial showed that the immune response to Spikevax in children six months to five years of age was comparable to that seen in people 18 to 25 years of age from a previous study,” states healrth Canada.
“Efficacy was assessed when Omicron was the predominant variant of COVID-19 circulating in the U.S. and Canada. The vaccine was well tolerated and no safety signals were identified from the trial.”
Residents in the WDGPH region without access to a primary care provider should contact WDGPH at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006, Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.
Public health officials stress that vaccine appointments for children aged six months to five years will only be available over the phone – and not through the WDGPH online booking system.
For more information, visit wdgpublichealth.ca/under-five.
