Pfizer Vaccine Now Available to Children Ages Six Months to Five Years Old

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available across Ontario for all children aged six months to five years old according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH).

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The announcement was by the provincial government made on Sunday. This is a three-dose primary series with recommended intervals of two months (56 days) between each of the three doses according to PPH.

“Health Canada’s approval means that the vaccine is safe, effective, high-quality, and will ensure that these children are also protected from severe illness,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, medical officer of health.

They recommended that no other vaccine, unless urgently required, should be given within 14 days of receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Ontario Government is discouraging the mixing of vaccine brands at this time for this age group.

Any child who receive the Pfizer vaccine must receive all three doses in order to complete their primary series. Parents and caregivers request a vaccine brand at PPH’s clinic but receive whichever vaccine is available.

Dedicated vaccination clinics for these children are offered at the Peterborough Square (lower level of 340 George St N.) clinic.

One-hour underground parking is available for residents attending the clinic. The PPH immunization schedule and clinic calendar are available for updates on eligibility and appointment availability.

Parents and caregivers are can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for children:

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Ontarians 70 And Older Now Eligible For New Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Shot

The provincial government announced that the new Moderna Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine will be available to eligible Ontario residents on Monday.

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For the highest risk, the eligibility requirements starting Sept 12 include:

  • Residents 70 years of age or older (born in 1952 or before)

  • First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Adults (18+) and household members (18+)

  • Health Care Providers (18+)

  • Individuals who are pregnant (18+)

  • Individuals living in long term care, congregate settings, retirement homes and elder care lodges

  • Immunocompromised individuals (12+)

The Moderna Bivalent vaccine has been adapted from the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine to target the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as the Omicron (BA.1 variant) variant.

All residents over the age of 18 will be eligible to receive the Bivalent vaccine on Sept 26.

Those eligible are encouraged to wait at least 6 months after their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving the bivalent vaccine.

Residents can book online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or over the phone by calling the provincial vaccine booking call centre at 1-833-943-3900.

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Children Ages 5-11 Eligible for COVID-19 Booster Dose

The provincial government announced that children aged 5-11 are now eligible for a third dose (first booster) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH) on Wednesday.

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To be eligible, children must have received their second dose at least 6 months (168 days) prior to receiving the third dose. Any child with immunocompromising conditions is now eligible for a fourth dose (first booster).

Proof of eligibility is required at their appointment. A referral form from a health care provider or proof of prescription medication can be accepted. Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines is based on birth year.

The provincial booking system will have appointments available for children aged 5-11 for the PPH COVID-19 Vaccination clinic. It is located on the lower level of Peterborough Square at 340 George St.

PPH encourages anyone to review their immunization schedule and clinic calendar for updates on eligibility and appointment availability. COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be booked:

“With back to school around the corner, it is important to ensure all children are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines,” says Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH medical officer of health. “As a reminder, it takes approximately 14 days for a dose to take full effect. Getting the vaccine now will provide an additional layer of protection for children returning to school in September.”

For more information visit the PPH youth and COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

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COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics For Children Aged 6 Months To 5 Years Will Be Available By July 28

Starting July 28, the provincial booking system will have appointments available for children aged 6 months to 5 years, enabling parents and caregivers to book a local appointment for their children’s first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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On July 21 the province announced that administration of the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Ontario for all children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Residents are encouraged to review the PPH immunization schedule and clinic calendar for updates on eligibility and appointment availability at peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics. Residents can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:

• Online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ OR

• Over the phone by calling the provincial vaccine booking call centre at 1-833-943-3900

Dedicated “family-friendly” vaccination clinics for children aged 6 months to 5 years will be offered at Peterborough Square (340 George St. N. in Units 36 and 37). Free two-hour underground parking is available for residents attending the clinic.

Residents over the age of 5 will not be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during designated paediatric clinics. Two doses separated by 8 weeks for each dose is recommended, unless children have immunocompromising conditions in which case three doses is recommended.

PPH recommends this group begin their vaccination series as soon as possible to have higher protection heading into the fall. At this time for 6 month to 5 years it is recommended that no other vaccine, unless urgently required should be given within 14 days of receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information about the youth COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Peterborough Public Health youth and COVID19 vaccine webpage.

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Peterborough Public Health Says Receiving A Fourth Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Is A Personal Choice

Amid the 7th wave of COVID, Dr. Thomas Piggott with Peterborough Pubic Health, has issued a statement noting young and healthy individuals have a personal decision to make about receiving their 4th dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday the Ontario Government announced that eligibility for COVID-19 second booster doses now applied to anyone over 18.

In a press conference on Thursday Dr. Piggott announced that while fourth doses are most critical for older adults or those with medical conditions, those who are younger (18-59) and healthy now have a personal decision to make about receiving their fourth dose.

“We are yet again into a new COVID-19 wave in this continued pandemic,” said Dr. Piggott. “We know that staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best tool for protecting yourself and those around you from the COVID-19 virus. If you are 12 or older and haven’t had your third dose, it is strongly recommended for you.”

Dr. Piggott noted that in addition to vaccines, other preventions include continuing to wear a tightly fitting (KN95/N95 style) mask, staying home when sick and gathering in well ventilated indoor air spaces or outdoors. He also encouraged residents to check the Local COVID-19 Risk Index weekly.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, upcoming vaccine clinics, and booking a vaccine appointment visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics.

To see the Peterborough Public Health Local COVID-19 Risk Index: https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-risk-index/

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Peterborough Public Health is Moving The COVID-19 Mass immunization Clinic

Peterborough Public Health will be moving the COVID-19 mass immunization clinic from the Healthy Planet Arena. Starting Monday, the COVID-19 vaccine clinics will be held temporarily at the Peterborough Public Health office at 185 King St.

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For the week of May 30, clinics run by Peterborough Public Health will be unavailable as Peterborough Public Health moves out of the Healthy Planet Arena.

The GO-VAXX mobile clinic will be coming to Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough on Thursday, June 2 from 10:00am to 6:00pm and will have the Pfizer vaccine available for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and booster doses for adults and youth aged 12 and up, as well as the pediatric Pfizer vaccine available for children aged 5-11.

Residents are also encouraged to reach out to local participating pharmacies to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine during this week.

Residents can still receive a COVID-19 vaccine from participating pharmacies. Pharmacy locations can be found on the provincial webpage at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

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Peterborough Public Health Makes Fifth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available For Immunocompromised Residents

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has made a second COVID-19 booster dose available for immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medication and received a three dose primary series announced Friday.

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Anyone who is 60 years of age or older or considered First Nation, Inuit, Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 18 years of age or older is eligible.

“Residents who are immunocompromised due to health condition or medication may experience a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine,”said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “This immunity can be further reduced due to age or other health circumstances. Therefore, a second booster or fifth dose is recommended to enhance the immune response and provide better protection against COVID-19 for these residents.”

Residents who fit into this category will need to speak with their healthcare provider to confirm their eligibility and receive a referral form before attending a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

Residents who are eligible based on health status can bring their referral form to receive their dose at any Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

PPH has developed a COVID-19 Immunization Schedule to assist residents in keeping up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

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Public Health Announces Additional COVID Vaccine Clinics

Additional COVID-19 vaccine clinics have been added to the provincial booking system for the Peterborough Public Health region, announced on Tuesday.

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Clinics are now available to be booked from April 19 – May 13. Additional clinics for the month of May will be added within the next few weeks. Residents can find clinic details on the Peterborough Public Health vaccine clinic calendar.

Eligible residents can book an appointment using the provincial booking system. This can be done online (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) or over the phone at 1-833-943-3900.

Residents can learn about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility on the Peterborough Public Health vaccine clinic webpage using the COVID-19 vaccine immunization schedule or by calling the provincial vaccine booking call centre at 1-833-943-3900.

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COVID-19 Fourth Dose Eligibility Expanded to Additional Residents

Expanded eligibility for COVID-19 fourth doses to adults 60 years of age or older and First Nation, Inuit and Metis Adults 18 years of age or older was announced by the provincial government on Wednesday.

Booster doses were available in Ontario for everyone since late December last year. Stock photo.

The following residents can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for a date that is 140 days (five months) after a third dose (booster dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine was received:

  • Residents 60 years of age or older

  • First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members

“This vaccine will provide additional protection and we ask that you book an appointment for this vaccine. If you haven't had your third dose that continues to be very important as a precaution against COVID-19,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health.

Online bookings must wait 140 days (or five months) after their third dose to book an appointment. Residents who call the provincial vaccine booking call centre can book an appointment three months after their third dose.

The expanded eligibility allows an additional 35,000 eligible residents to receive another dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is asking all residents to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for any dose they receive starting this Friday.

“To better serve our residents, Peterborough Public Health will be temporarily suspending walk-in availability at COVID-19 vaccine clinics and is asking everyone to book an appointment,” said Dr. Piggott. “We anticipate a large demand for fourth doses over the next few weeks and want to make the process fair and comfortable for our residents.”

Anyone with an immunocompromising health condition or who are on an immunocompromising medication and are 18 years of age or older is still eligible for a fourth dose.

Proof of eligibility at their COVID-19 vaccine appointment for immunocompromised individuals. A referral form from a health care provider or proof of prescription medication can be accepted as proof of eligibility.

A full list of eligibility can be found on the Ontario Third Dose Guidance Document.

“Indicators across the province and in Peterborough region continue to show increasing transmission of COVID-19 and our COVID-19 Community Risk Index is currently HIGH risk,” said Dr. Piggott. “The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recognizes that the high level of transmission increases the risk for moderate to severe symptoms related to a COVID-19 infection for eligible residents. We are strongly encouraging all eligible residents to book an appointment for all doses they are eligible for at the earliest date to protect themselves during the 6th wave.”

PPH says vaccination is the most important tool in multi-layer prevention against COVID-19. They encourage everyone to continue wearing a tightly fitting (KN95/N95 style) mask, staying home when sick, seeking testing/treatment as eligible, improving the ventilation of indoor air spaces and spending time outdoors.

Appointments can be booked through the provincial vaccine booking system over the phone by calling 1-833-943-3900 or online.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, upcoming vaccine clinics, and booking a vaccine appointment, please visit PPH’s website for vaccine clinics.

To see the PPH Community Risk Index, click here.

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Fourth Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine Available To Immunocompromised Residents

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) would like to remind residents who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medication that they are eligible for a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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According to PPH residents who are immunocompromised due to a health condition or medication side effect are at an increased risk for moderate to severe symptoms due to COVID-19 infection.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is still the best defence against moderate to severe symptoms due a COVID-19 infection,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health. “Some residents who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medication are eligible to receive four doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents who are immunocompromised due to health condition or medication may experience a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, an additional dose is recommended to enhance the immune response and provide better protection against COVID-19.”

Residents who are eligible for a fourth dose can bring their referral form to receive a fourth dose at any Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

Residents who are on a medication that makes them eligible for a fourth dose are also able to bring their prescription or medication to the vaccine clinic to confirm eligibility.

More information about COVID-19 vaccine availability can be found on the Peterborough Public Health vaccine webpage.

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