Sask. ordering 112K doses of COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11
The Government of Saskatchewan announced it has ordered 112,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine formulated for children aged five to 11.
The province expects to receive the vaccines in mid-November. At this time, there are not any COVID-19 vaccines approved for children under the age of 12 in Canada.
“Once this vaccine is approved by Health Canada, our intent is to provide the vaccine to all kids who would like to receive it, five to 11, in a safe, supportive and an efficient manner,” Dr. Tania Diener, Medical Health Officer responsible for immunization and physician co-lead of the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) COVID-19 immunization campaign, said during a press conference Tuesday.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is in the process of developing a plan for delivery of the vaccine to children. It hopes to have the plan in place as soon as the vaccine receives approval from Health Canada for use in kids.
So far In October, 24 per cent of COVID-19 cases were among children under the age of 12. Since the start of September, nearly half of cases in children, 48 per cent, were exposed in a household setting, according to the Government of Saskatchewan.
While children are less likely to develop severe illness from COVID-19, the government said they are playing a role in the transmission of the virus.
“Vaccinations for children will enable them to continue to be able to go to school and enjoy their activities,” the province said in a news release.
The government notes that Pfizer studies show no safety concerns among children five to 11. Expected vaccine side effects, such as soreness, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and chills, were “well tolerated and resolved in one to two days.”
“Children in this age group have very good immune responses when they receive two doses as recommended,” the province said.
The clinical trials show 90.7 per cent vaccine efficacy in children following two doses, 21 days apart.
The shot will include a 0.2 mL dosage, which is 0.1 mL less than the dose currently in place for those 12 and older.
VACCINE ROLLOUT
Sheila Anderson, vaccine chief responsible for SHA’s COVID-19 immunization campaign, said the vaccination process will have some new accommodations for younger kids.
“Most children of this age group will manage vaccines very well, however there are some portion of our young kids that will find that they become quite anxious,” Anderson said. “The physical and psychological safety of both our children and our parents and the families that come will be a really high priority as we roll out this program.”
Parents and guardians will be allowed inside the vaccination area to support children through the process.
Anderson said where available, therapy dogs or other attractions will also be used to help reduce anxiety. She added that clinical experts will be on site to answer questions from families about the vaccine.
The SHA will be offering paediatric vaccinations in approximately 190 clinics in 100 communities across the province. Families can be on the lookout for clinics in some facilities specifically directed at kids, such as libraries, community centres and schools.
“SHA is also working with our trusted partners and community agencies, local leaders, health system partners, social services and others just to increase uptake in this population,” Anderson said.
Appointments are not currently available, but booking options are expected to be communicated once the vaccine is approved by Health Canada.
All children in this age group will require parental or guardian consent to receive the vaccine. The SHA said consent forms can be signed at vaccine clinics.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca