Thousands of appointments available for 5-11 year olds who still need a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Waterloo Region – In addition to prioritizing giving third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 18 years of age and older, the Region of Waterloo has thousands of appointments available for parents/guardians to book an appointment for their 5-11 year olds. Families are strongly encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible.

To date, over 45 percent of children in the 5-11 year old age group have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a second dose eight weeks (56 days) after the first dose. Parents may choose to shorten the interval (as early as 21 days after the first dose) with informed consent at the time of the appointment. A third dose of the vaccine in this age group has only been recommended by the Ministry of Health for children with a limited number of immune-compromising conditions. For more information, visit the Ministry of Health website: COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose Recommendations. 

“Parents/guardians of 5-11 year olds are strongly encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children ages 5-11.”

To book an appointment for your child at a regional vaccination clinic, please visit the Region of Waterloo website: regionofwaterloo.ca/getavaccine.

Children aged 5-11 can also get the vaccine at participating pharmacies or at their doctor’s office (if the vaccine is available).

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