COVID-19 vaccine bookings to open November 23 for all children aged 5 to 11

Families can book appointments through a variety of channels

Queen’s Park says children aged five to 11 will be eligible to book their appointment to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday, November 23. Approximately one million children will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

“The approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11 is exciting news for families and represents a bright light at the end of the tunnel,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Offering the protection of the vaccine to children aged five to 11 is a significant milestone in Ontario’s fight against COVID-19 in advance of the holiday season. We continue to encourage all Ontarians to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities.”

Related: COVID-19 immunizations for children 5-11 years of age coming to Simcoe-Muskoka

As of 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be booked through a variety of channels including the COVID-19 vaccination portal and contact centre, directly through public health units using their own booking system, participating pharmacies which individuals can find on Ontario’s website using the pharmacy locator, and select primary care providers.

To book an appointment online, children must be turning five years old by the end of 2021 (born in 2016).

Ontario is expected to receive 1,076,000 doses of the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government, which will then be immediately distributed to public health units, pharmacies, and primary care settings across the province. Appointments across the province are expected to begin as early as November 25 when the federal supply arrives at vaccine clinics across the province.

Quick Facts

  • Children aged five to 11 (and turning age five in 2021) will receive the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine which is a slightly modified, lower dose (one-third the amount given to individuals aged 12 and over), in a two-dose series at a recommended interval of eight weeks between first and second doses.
  • It’s okay to have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Parents, caregivers and children are encouraged to call the Provincial Vaccine Confidence Line that can be accessed by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or visit COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a confidential phone appointment with a Sick Kids clinician.
  • Parents or caregivers of children aged five to 11 will usually have to provide consent on behalf of the child before or at the time of the appointment.
  • As of November 19, nearly 85 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than 80 per cent have received a second dose.
  • Unvaccinated people are 24 times more likely to be in the hospital and 43 times more likely to be in the ICU.
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