Working alongside school boards, York Region is readying to vaccinate five to 11-year-olds

Thestar.com
Nov. 22, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

York Region is finalizing plans to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children aged five to 11, it said in a statement Saturday, Nov. 20.

There are about 91,000 children aged five to 11 in York Region, who will be eligible for the vaccine.

“We anticipate starting to administer the vaccine in clinics for this age group as of Friday, November 26, 2021,” York Region said.  “This date is subject to availability of vaccine supply from the province.”

The region also said that it is working alongside “local school boards to launch school-based vaccination clinics in targeted school locations.”

Families must make appointments for five to 11-year-olds. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, residents can book an appointment online at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine or by calling 1-877-464-9675.

York Region also said the Pfizer vaccine for this age group will be a lower dosage and that it would follow the province's advice on how to “prioritize vaccine administration.”

Parents and caregivers with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, especially for children with complicated medical histories or specialized needs, can speak to a York Region Public Health Nurse by calling 1-800-361-5653 or a pediatric Registered Nurse though the SickKids COVID-19 Consult Services.