SWPH Preparing to Welcome Teens at COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
With ages 18 and older now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, Southwestern Public Health has begun the necessary plans to welcome younger teens to vaccine clinics once they become eligible in Ontario.
On May 17, the Ministry of Health indicated that may be as early as the week of May 31 for youth aged 12 to 17.
“There is a lot of preparation when a new group comes into focus, and this age band has many considerations,” says Jaime Fletcher, Program Manager of the Southwestern Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force. “First is vaccine product: Pfizer-BioNTech is the only vaccine approved for youth aged 12 and older at this time. We are reviewing clinic hours and availability to give options that limit school disruptions for families. We will also be working closely with local school boards and Indigenous communities to ensure we can connect with youth quickly once they become eligible.”
Parents and caregivers can help prepare teens by talking to them about COVID-19 vaccines and sharing credible resources from Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and local public health units. Also remind teens that they may not get an appointment right away due to high-demand, and that everyone still needs to follow public health measures after their first dose.
“We all need to temper our excitement to return to normal life with the realities that COVID-19 will be with us for a while longer,” says Fletcher.
Currently Southwestern Public Health does not offer appointments to anyone born after 2003, unless they are eligible for another reason, such as having an eligible health condition, or being an essential worker who cannot work from home.
Contacts
Megan Cornwell
Communications | Southwestern Public Health
communications@swpublichealth.ca