The Northwestern Health Unit says vaccine doses for those between the ages of six months and five years old are not available in their catchment area yet, but they are coming soon.
Health Canada approved the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for infants and pre-schoolers earlier this week, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for that age group.
Health Canada says the regular Moderna vaccine can now be given to young children between the ages of six months and five years old, in doses one-quarter the size of the dose approved for adults. The vaccine requires two doses given about four weeks apart.
“We can minimize the impact of COVID-19 in our communities when people get vaccinated and practise other measures such as appropriate self-isolation, wearing a well-fitted mask, physical distancing and hand hygiene,” explains Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kit Young Hoon.
Young Hoon explains with the vaccine now approved, Ontario’s Ministry of Health will be developing guidelines on its use and will then begin to ship vaccine doses to local public health units.
“We expect to have the vaccine here in the local area within the next few weeks, and [we] will tell the public when it is available,” she adds.
Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 for youth between six months and five years old was submitted to Health Canada last month and is still under review.