More than 24,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments booked for Ottawa children, ages 5-11

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says more than 24,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments have already been booked for local children between the ages of five and 11.

The provincial booking system opened for kids in that age group at 8 a.m., Tuesday, November 23.

As of 2 pm, Ottawa parents & legal guardians have booked over 24,000 first dose vaccine appointments for our 5-11 community!

Thank you for making this happen. We're not crying, our eyes are just sweating.

Ps. Appointments are still available!
Book here: https://t.co/MkYhAGVXqt pic.twitter.com/vUtF78lUQ5

— Ottawa Public Health (@OttawaHealth) November 23, 2021

OPH told CityNews on Monday that it expected to receive enough COVID-19 vaccine supply to be able to book 60,000 appointments right away.

More than 68,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments for kids aged five to 11 were booked across Ontario by 10 a.m., a spokeswoman for Premier Doug Ford said in a social media post. That figure doesn't include bookings through individual health units, pharmacies and primary care sites offering the shots.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said 400,000 doses of the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were expected Monday, with more than 600,000 more to come in a later shipment.

Appointments are available at one of Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) seven community clinics, starting as soon as Friday. OPH also operates 10 neighbourhood vaccination hubs across the city.

On December 2, Ottawa Public Health will begin a rotating schedule of 73 after-hours school pop-up vaccination clinics and will post details and clinic schedules on its website later this week.

More than 100 pharmacies across the city are starting to offer vaccines to this age group. Residents are encouraged to find the nearest participating pharmacy for appointment hours and locations, that suits them and their families.

CHEO is offering vaccinations to children with medically complex needs.

Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health will host a clinic at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre in partnership with OPH. Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team is providing vaccinations for Inuit youth.

OPH is also working with operators of congregate care facilities to administer vaccines on site.

Primary care physicians will be reaching out directly to their patients if they are offering COVID-19 pediatric vaccines in their offices

OPH recommends all eligible residents receive two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully immunized. Parents and guardians who have questions about the vaccine can visit the health unit's frequently asked questions webpage.