TORONTO – Starting on July 28, parents and caregivers of children five and under will be able to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19.
Children aged six months to under five years old will receive a slightly modified version of the pediatric Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The lower dose is half the amount given to children aged six to 11 in a two-dose set at a recommended interval of eight weeks between the first and second doses.
Immunocompromised youth aged 12 to 17 will also be able to receive their second booster if at least six months have passed since their first booster.
“The approval of a lower dose pediatric Moderna vaccine will give families the opportunity to provide an additional layer of protection against COVID-19 for the youngest members of their families,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Getting vaccinated remains the best defence against COVID-19 and I encourage parents with questions to reach out to their health care provider, the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre or the SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to make an informed choice for their family.”
Over the next several days, the pediatric Moderna vaccines will be distributed across the province to local public health units across the region, as well as to participating pediatricians, primary care providers and pharmacies.
NDP Health critic France Gélinas said in a statement, “The NDP shares the immense relief so many parents are feeling today, knowing that vaccine protection from COVID for their little ones is finally here. We know a lot of parents would prefer to take their kids to their own family physicians or pediatrician’s office for this shot. But too many family physicians and pediatricians have not had a steady supply of vaccine doses, or have found it difficult to get information about if and when they’ll get doses for their patients. We’re calling on the Conservative government to urgently ship doses to all family physicians and pediatricians, and keep them coming.”
The public can begin making their appointments starting July 28 through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or directly through their public health unit’s Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre booking system, as well as, at participating pharmacies and Indigenous-led vaccination clinics.
“We know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have helped lower the rate of infection in our communities throughout the pandemic,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Although most children who get infected have no symptoms or mild symptoms, some can become very sick and require hospitalization. The vaccine offered to children aged six months to under five years is a lower dose that is safe and effective at protecting this age group from COVID-19. Even if a child has already had COVID-19, vaccination will help to further improve the immune response and provide more robust protection. I encourage every parent and caregiver to consider getting their younger children vaccinated and protected, especially if they are immunocompromised or have other serious medical conditions.”
The Ontario government is also extending paid sick days to March 31, 2023, for people receiving the vaccination.
This includes up to $200 a day, for up to three days, if they need to get tested, vaccinated, receive booster shots, self-isolate, or care for a family member who is ill from COVID-19. The government will continue to reimburse eligible employers for the paid leave days.
“It’s cruel for Doug Ford to keep stringing workers along months at a time, never giving them enough paid sick days,” Peggy Sattler, NDP MPP for London West said in her statement in response to the government’s announcement on paid sick days. “At this point, he’s offered a maximum of three days to last a full three years. What happens if you’ve already used up those three days over the last two years? What happens if a worker or their child is sick with a non-COVID-related illness? This puts workers right back at square one, forcing them to choose between going to work sick and making coworkers and customers sick — or losing pay. And it subsidizes large profitable corporations that should be providing paid sick days but aren't.”
As of July 19, Ontario has administered more than 33 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 93 per cent of Ontarians aged 12 and over having received at least one dose, more than 91 per cent having received a second dose and more than 57 per cent having received a booster.
Parents and caregivers with questions can call their health care provider, the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to speak to a health specialist, or visit COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids Registered Nurse.