Vaccination helps prevent severe disease and hospitalization due to COVID-19. Children and youth who previously had COVID-19 have some protection, but this protection will be much stronger if they're also vaccinated.

Another reason for vaccination combined with other public health measures is to get the virus under control. Omicron may be less severe, but its high transmissibility means many more will be affected. This puts our health and our health-care system at risk. The more resources we have to direct toward caring for patients with COVID-19, the more challenging it is to provide life-changing surgeries and procedures for patients who don't have COVID-19 who are also in need of care.

• Unvaccinated individuals are at the highest risk of getting COVID-19. Currently, most of the COVID-19 cases in Ontario are among people who are not fully vaccinated (i.e., no doses or only one dose).
• While children and youth who get infected with COVID-19 typically experience mild symptoms, some can get very sick, require hospitalization and/or ICU admission, and can experience more serious and longer lasting symptoms (i.e. long COVID, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome).
• The COVID-19 vaccine will help your child fight off the virus more easily if they are infected and make their symptoms milder.
• The COVID-19 will also lower the risk of transmission to others and allow them to continue fostering their mental health and well-being through in-person learning, extracurricular activities and social interactions with family, friends and peers.

Vaccinating children and youth will provide them with a strong level of protection against COVID-19 and the highly contagious Delta variant, keep schools safer, and stop the spread of the virus.

• The vaccine reduces the risk of getting COVID-19 infection.
• The vaccine reduces the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying if infected with COVID-19.
• The vaccine reduces the spread of COVID-19 to others. This means being vaccinated will help protect other friends and family members too, such as those under five years old who cannot be vaccinated yet, or more vulnerable older adults.
• Individuals who are fully vaccinated (2 doses + 14 days) may not have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
• Vaccines have helped schools, extra-curricular activities and businesses re-open while keeping the spread of COVID-19 low. They also make these places safer for everyone, including those who cannot be vaccinated, or who are at increased risk of getting very sick.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine helps children go back to school, sports and other activities.

Some organizations may require proof of vaccination from those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to participate in activities.

The more children who are vaccinated in school, sports or other activities, the safer those places will be. It will reduce the risk of outbreaks, and therefore prevent closures or disruptions in school and activities.

Children 5-11 years old are now eligible for a paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be turning five years old by the end of 2021 (born in 2016) to book or walk-in for a COVID-19 vaccination.

For example, if a child’s will be turning 5 years old on December 25, they are considered eligible today even though they are 4 years old. Eligibility goes by birth year, not birth date.

We have just over 7,500 children who are eligible to receive this vaccination in this age group across Algoma. We will receive enough vaccine to provide every child their first and second paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

No. Children born in 2017 or later are not yet eligible. At this time, the safety and effectiveness in people younger than 5 years of age has not yet been established.

The COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five – 11 is also available from participating pharmacies across Algoma. Visit the link to see which pharmacies are offering vaccine to this population to pick the quickest and easiest date for you.

Select primary care providers will be administering the paediatric COVID-19 vaccines in Algoma.

Parents and caregivers who are interested in booking their child’s paediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointment with their primary care provider will need to reach out to their primary care provider to confirm whether they are offering the vaccine. Participating primary care providers will use their own appointment booking systems.

If your care provider is not offering the COVID-19 vaccine, come visit our team at an MIC or pop-up clinic, or visit a local participating pharmacy, to be vaccinated.

We are mindful that some children may be anxious or have a fear of needles. Not to worry. Immunizers understand and are trained to help your child have a comfortable experience, similar to many other routine child immunization clinics. Appointment times are also longer than those for adults, providing more time for your child to get comfortable and ask any questions.

Children can bring their favorite stuffed animal or toy and listen to music for comfort and distraction.

At select sites, privacy options will be available.

Consent by parent or guardian will be required for COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 years. Children will not be vaccinated if a parent or guardian are not present.

Yes, the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children.

After thorough review of the study data for the use of Pfizer vaccine in young children, Health Canada has approved the use of a paediatric Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11, in addition to the previously approved Pfizer vaccine used for individuals aged 12 and older.

Health Canada has determined that these vaccines:

• are safe, effective, and manufactured to the highest quality
• show a strong immune response and prepare your immune system to fight against COVID-19

In clinical trials, the vaccines showed robust immune response in children and youth.

COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary for anyone eligible in Ontario. Learn more about:

• COVID-19 vaccine safety
• Health Canada’s vaccine approval process
• Ontario’s ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness, similar to all approved medications and vaccines. Action will be taken if any safety concerns are identified to ensure the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any potential and identified risks.

Check out the NACI Summary document starting on page 6 to read about the clinical trial data on the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in children 5-1 years of age.

This document provides information on trial design, study population, demographics, safety, efficacy, and more from the clinical trial conducted.

Yes. The clinical trial showed that the immune response in children 5 to 11 years of age was comparable to the immune response in people 16 to 25 years of age.

The vaccine was 90.7% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children 5 to 11 years of age after the second dose. No serious side effects or new safety signals were identified.

This effectiveness compares to clinical trials that showed that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was about 95% effective in those 16 years and older, and 100% effective for those 12 to 15 years old in protecting from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccine side effects in children

Early trials of the vaccine in children show that children can experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, similar to other vaccines. Common side effects include:

• Sore arm near the injection site
• Feel more tired than usual
• Headache
• Achy muscles or joints
• Fever and chills.

These side effects are usually mild and go away within 1-3 days.

Preliminary information can be found from Pfizer BioNTech, the manufacturer of the vaccine. More information on the side effects will come when the vaccine is approved by Health Canada.

Very rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis (heart inflammation) have been reported after getting the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in youth and young adults. More research is being done to explore the risk of this condition in children. 

COVID-19 vaccines and reproductive health

There is no evidence that any vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) or menstrual irregularities.

It is important to be open and honest with your children about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Plan to have a discussion with your child about the vaccine.

• (ENG) How to Talk to Kids about Getting Vaccinated
• (FR) How to Talk to Kids about Getting Vaccinated

Yes. Everyone has a role to play in keeping children and youth in Algoma protected from COVID-19.

Helping children access credible information about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine is important. Helping children access credible information about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine is important.

The following resources may be helpful to answer questions you or your child has about the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre – 1-833-943-3900
  
  
• Sick Kids COVID-19 Consult Service:  Free phone consult service available to children and parents or guardians to answer questions about your specific situation and the COVID-19 vaccines. Book online or by phone.
  
  
• VaxFacts: Free virtual consultation with a physician to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Open to all Ontario residents
  
  
• Health Canada – Vaccines for children: COVID-19  
  
  

• Max the Vax – Intended to help young people to feel safe and protected from COVID-19. Includes FAQs and resources for kids and caregivers.
  
  

• SickKids CARD System – Strategies that can be used to help cope before and during vaccination. The system consists of resources such as videos and handouts that will help to prepare you and your child for vaccination.
  
  

• Kids Boost Immunity is a free resource available to Canadian educators. It includes free COVID-19 lessons for students, including what students should know, how to stay healthy, and how to avoid misinformation. The curated lessons have interactive quizzes that mirror Ontario’s science, health and social studies curriculum. This is a great resource for educators, who can create a free online classroom and get students to join the team to ramp up points for fun learning about COVID-19.

Looking for resources in a different language? Visit the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Youth webpage to find a factsheet in French, Italian, Arabic, etc.

No. A paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to children 5-11 years.

The paediatric Pfizer vaccine includes a lower dose that is safe and effective at protecting this age group from COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

The new pediatric formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is 10 micrograms (mcg) compared to the 30-mcg formulation authorized for adolescents and adults 12 years of age and older. This means the vaccine for children is one-third the amount given to individuals 12 years and older, in a two-dose series at a recommended interval of eight weeks between first and second doses.

A smaller dose of vaccine is used because younger children have smaller bodies and better immune systems, and therefore require a smaller amount of vaccine to protect them from COVID-19. This will also help reduce the expected, common side effects they may experience after getting the vaccine.

No. The COVID-19 vaccine dose administered is not based on weight.

The pediatric formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is 10 micrograms (mcg), and is a standard formulation given to all children aged 5-11 years.

At this time, there is a recommended interval of eight weeks between the first and second dose.

An interval of at least 8 weeks between the first and second dose is recommended for children aged 5-11 years. 

The paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized as a primary series of two 10-mcg doses given a minimum of 21 days apart. However, emerging evidence in adults suggests that compared to shorter intervals, longer intervals between the first and second doses result in a stronger immune response, higher vaccine effectiveness that is expected to last longer, and may be associated with a lower risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis in adolescents and young adults.

At this time, only a first and second dose of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are approved and recommended for children aged 5-11 years.

No. It is not recommended to take pain medication before vaccination to try to prevent side effects. Side effects are a natural response to vaccination, and are a sign that your body is working to build immunity.  

There is also no evidence of benefit from taking oral pain medications for the prevention of injection pain or systemic reactions.

We also do not want the Tylenol or Advil to mask any side effects or signs of an allergic reaction.

No. Children 5-11 should not routinely be given a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day as other vaccines (live or inactivated) at this time.

Unlike adolescent and adult populations, NACI recommends that children receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (10 mcg) at least 14 days before or after another vaccine. This is a precaution to help to determine if a side effect that may arise is due to the COVID-19 vaccine or another vaccine.

There may be circumstances when a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine need to be given at the same time – a healthcare provider can help with this decision.

Like any vaccination, your child may experience mild to moderate side effects and reactions that will subside anywhere from a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

Common side effects may include pain, redness and swelling on the arm where the vaccine was given, tiredness, muscle soreness, headache, chills, or mild fever. Side effects in clinical trials were more common after the second dose of vaccine.

These side effects are part of their body’s efforts to build protection from COVID-19 following vaccination.

Serious side effects after receiving the vaccine are rare. However, if your child develops side effects that are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days, please contact a health care provider.

If you or your child might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, call 911. Signs of an allergic reaction could include having trouble breathing, developing hives or swelling in the face and throat.

Applying a cool, damp cloth where the vaccine was given may help with soreness and swelling.

If needed, speak to your doctor about over-the-counter pain or fever medication, which may help with mild to moderate side effects such as headache, muscle pain and fever.

If your child develops side effects that are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days, please contact a health care provider.

Medical ingredients: mRNA

Non-Medial ingredients:

•          ALC-0315 = ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
•          ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
•          1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
•          cholesterol
•          sodium chloride
•          sucrose
•          tromethamine
•          tromethamine hydrochloride
•          water for injection

Vaccine components include the potential allergen of polysorbate 80 and/or tromethamine (trometamol or Tris). However, these ingredients rarely cause allergic reactions.

Polysorbate 80 is found in medical preparations (such as vitamin oils, tablets, and anticancer agents) and cosmetics. Allergic reactions to polysorbates are rare.

Due to potential cross-reactivity with polysorbate, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) allergies must also be considered. Allergic reactions to PEG are rare. PEG is found in products such as prescription medications, bowel preparation products for colonoscopy, over-the-counter products (e.g. laxatives, cough syrups), cosmetics, dermal fillers, skin care products, products such as ultrasound gel, and contact lens care solution. PEG also can be found in foods or drinks but is not known to cause allergic reactions from foods or drinks.

Tromethamine (trometamol or Tris) is a component in contrast media, oral and injectable medications. Tromethamine is used as a buffer in vaccines and medications, including those for use in children, to improve stability and prevent pH fluctuations in the solution. No safety concerns have been identified with tromethamine. While tromethamine has been identified as a potential allergen, a review of existing evidence by NACI did not identify any cases of allergic reactions to tromethamine in children.

Any component of the COVID-19 vaccine or its container could be a potential allergen. The vial stoppers of COVID-19 vaccines are not made with natural rubber latex, and there is no contraindication or precaution to vaccination for people with a latex allergy.

Serious allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine are very rare and can be treated. To be safe, everyone who is vaccinated is monitored for at least 15 minutes in case an allergic reaction occurs. Immunizers on site are well trained to manage an allergic reaction should it occur.

If you think your child might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. Signs of an allergic reaction could include having trouble breathing, developing hives or swelling in the face and throat.

If your child has a history of allergic reactions to vaccines or medication, please discuss this with your child’s doctor prior to vaccination.

The benefits of being vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 far outweigh the risks of any side effects from the vaccine.

COVID-19 infection may cause longer-lasting symptoms and health problems for some people, including children, which is why it is important to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

If you or your child had COVID-19, you should still get the vaccine. It will help protect you from getting sick again and from more contagious variants.

If you are recovering from COVID-19, you should wait to get the vaccine until you:

• have no symptoms
• are no longer in self-isolation

There is no evidence or scientific reason to believe that the COVID-19 vaccine can affect puberty and fertility in children. Clinical trials of those who have been vaccinated in the general population have shown that the vaccine is very safe.

Interim clinical findings did not indicate any serious safety concerns and no cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) related to the vaccine were reported in the clinical trials for children 5-11 years old.

Classic myocarditis is less common in younger children 5-11 years of age.

However, a very small number of cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of lining outside the heart) following vaccination have been reported among youth and young adults aged 12 to 30 years who received the 30 mcg formulation of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine or 100 mcg formulation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Most cases occurred in young adult males between 18 and 30 years of age after the second dose of vaccine, and most had mild illness and recovered quickly.  This occurred more often after Moderna than Pfizer, and usually within a week of vaccination.  

Myocarditis/pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines remains a rare adverse event following immunization (AEFI), which is defined by the Canadian Immunization Guide as occurring at frequency of 0.01 per cent to less than 0.1 per cent.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) continues to recommend vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for all individuals aged five and older since the vaccines are highly effective at preventing symptomatic infection and severe outcomes (i.e., hospitalization, death) from COVID-19. Myocarditis and pericarditis are 16 times more likely to occur after a COVID-19 infection than after COVID-19 vaccines.

Caregivers should be advised to seek medical attention for children if they develop symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Anyone getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including children and youth, must provide informed consent. Informed consent means that you understand:

• what the vaccine involves (for example, how it is given and what possible side effects there may be)
• why it is recommended
• the risks and benefits of getting or not getting it

If you are a child or youth interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you may want to talk to a parent, guardian or adult that you trust before getting the vaccine.

If an individual is unable to provide informed consent to receive the vaccine, they will need consent from someone who can make a decision on their behalf, such as a parent or legal guardian. Speak with your vaccine provider if you have any questions.

Parents or substitute decision makers of children aged 5 to 11 will have to provide consent on behalf of the child at the time of the appointment before their children can receive a vaccine.

Consent will be provided before or at the time of vaccination. You may be asked to complete a consent form that looks like this sample form.

You are welcome to call or book an appointment with your local healthcare provider to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine for children.

However, parents, guardians, and youth in Ontario can also call or book a free virtual appointment with Ontario clinicians (physicians and paediatric registered nurses) to get their vaccine questions answered.

• Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre – 1-833-943-3900
  
• Sick Kids COVID-19 Consult Service:  Free phone consult service available to children and parents or guardians to answer questions about your specific situation and the COVID-19 vaccines. Book online or by phone.
• VaxFacts: Free virtual consultation with a physician to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Open to all Ontario residents

Yes. Vaccine certificates with QR codes will be available for children aged five to 11 on the COVID-19 vaccination portal as a record of their vaccination.

However, there are no requirements for children aged five to 11 to show proof of vaccination in Ontario at this time. Proof of vaccination for children aged 5-11 years is not required to attend elementary schools in Ontario.

There may be different requirements in other jurisdictions and requirements may change over time.

The Omicron variant is known to be much more transmissible than previous strains of COVID-19. Early data out of South Africa and the United Kingdom suggests that vaccination still protects against serious illness due to Omicron. The more people who are vaccinated against COVID-19, the more we can protect ourselves and prevent new variants from emerging and spreading in the community.