Team Toronto ready to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages six months to under five years

Team Toronto is ready to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages six months to under five years, with a needs-based, data-driven, equity-focused vaccination campaign that will be available across Toronto.

Starting Thursday, July 28, COVID-19 vaccines will be offered at five City of Toronto-run immunization clinics: Crossroads Plaza, Cloverdale Mall, Mitchell Field Community Centre, Thorncliffe Park Community Hub and 1940 Eglinton Ave. E.

Parents and caregivers will be able to book appointments at City-run vaccine clinics on the Provincial vaccine registration portal starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ .

Based on expected vaccine supply from the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada, City-run immunization clinics have approximately 2,000 appointments for children ages six months to under five years available during the next two weeks. More appointments will be added in the weeks that follow.

A health card is not needed to get a vaccine at a City-run vaccination clinic.

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months to under five years was approved by Health Canada on July 14. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that this vaccine may be offered to children of that age group .

Clinical trials with children ages six months to under five years demonstrated that the vaccine is safe and produced a similar antibody response to that seen in young adults.

This vaccination campaign is a city-wide partnership that will continue to grow over the coming weeks and into the fall. In the near future, vaccines will also be available across the city at select Toronto hospitals and through Ontario Health Teams, primary care providers, pediatricians, pharmacies and community organizations. Bookings at these locations will be managed directly by these organizations.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect families, communities and individuals against COVID-19. Most children who get infected with COVID-19 have mild or asymptomatic disease; however, some children experience severe disease and require hospitalization. More information, including details which will soon be available on upcoming education sessions, webinars and town halls for parents and primary care providers, can be found by regularly visiting the City’s COVID-19: Vaccines for Children & Youth webpage.

For children who have already had COVID-19 infection, NACI suggests waiting eight weeks after the start of symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test, before getting a dose of this vaccine.

In addition, parents and caregivers can get answers to their vaccine questions through COVID-19 vaccination telephone consultation services from SickKids Hospital  and the Scarborough Health Network .

Quotes:

“Our work to help all residents get vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 has now reached an important milestone with vaccines now being available for our youngest residents. I know many families have been waiting for this moment when they can make sure their youngest children have the best protection available against this virus. Team Toronto is working to make sure the vaccine is delivered as quickly as possible as it arrives so that families can be safe and we can all continue to protect our progress. We have already delivered more than 7.2 million vaccine doses and achieved world-leading vaccination rates. In the weeks and months ahead, we will be doing everything we can as a City government to help our youngest residents get vaccinated.”

– Mayor John Tory

“It’s great to see that vaccination against COVID-19 is now available to Toronto’s youngest residents. Parents should take this opportunity seriously because our youngest children are still vulnerable and have been catching COVID-19.”

– Councillor Joe Mihevc (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Board of Health

“The seventh wave of COVID-19 is in our community and is impacting residents, including the youngest in our city. Parents have been doing their best to keep their young ones safe and now they will have the benefit of this safe and effective vaccine to protect their children.”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook .