The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is getting ready for when the COVID-19 vaccine is approved for 5 to 11-year-olds.
That confirmation from Andrea McLellan, Director of COVID-19 Immunization Strategy, after Pfizer recently submitted their vaccine to Health Canada for approval.
“We are in the process of planning for that age group. It has been anticipated that the announcement will come in six to eight weeks with respect to the vaccine and the approval if it’s approved,” she says.
McLellan says a number of groups are involved with the planning.
“We’ve been working with our local school boards, some of our local community agencies like One Kids Place and Hands, and primary care physicians and pharmacies as well to set up processes to support the delivery of vaccine to 5 to 11-year-olds across the district,” she says.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the country will receive “millions of doses” of the vaccine once it’s approved by Health Canada. Procurement Minister Anita Anand says there will be 2.9 million pediatric doses available “shortly” after that approval.
It’s expected Health Canada will give the green light to the vaccine in the near future.
Pfizer provided initial trial data to Health Canada for its COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of five and 11 earlier in October.
**With files from Casey Kenny
