Pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccination opens for Ottawa kids with allergies, special needs

Pre-registration has opened for some Ottawa kids, to book appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Children aged 5-11 who have special needs, severe allergies or who are immunocompromised can book appointments for upcoming clinics through CHEO.

CHEO says it is working with its Kids Come First Health Team partners, including Ottawa Public Health, physicians and families, to be ready as soon as Health Canada approves vaccinations for this age group.

If your child meets the following criteria, you're encouraged you to pre-register:

• being immunocompromised
• having a history of severe allergy requiring an EpiPen
• having medical complexities or technology dependency that make it difficult to attend a clinic in the community (e.g. tracheostomy, ventilator, uncontrolled seizure disorder)
• having a condition that makes it challenging to be in crowded spaces (e.g. anxiety, autism)
• other medical reasons that are not listed above, but make it challenging for the child to be vaccinated in the community

Health Canada is expected to approve the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 this week.