Ontario nearing 100K kid COVID-19 vaccine bookings as health units prep for child-friendly clinics

Ontario says 93,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments were booked for kids between the ages of five and 11 as of Wednesday morning.

The figure covers the provincial booking system and doesn't include other bookings made through local public health units, pharmacies and primary care offices offering the shots.

The province opened bookings for kids in that age group on Tuesday morning.

Ten children who are patients with SickKids hospital in Toronto became the first in the province to receive the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech doses on Tuesday afternoon. 

Kid-friendly clinics are scheduled to start in earnest on Thursday, though a few began Wednesday. Shots are expected to be administered in Ottawa, starting Friday.

It warms my heart to share that Ottawa parents and legal guardians have now booked over 27,700 COVID-19 vaccine appointments for our 5-11 community members. ♥️
I am so grateful to have booked appointments for my two little ones. Thank you to all those who have made this possible.

— Dr. Vera Etches (@VeraEtches) November 24, 2021

Toronto's vaccine rollout for young children is scheduled to pick on Thursday, with some clinics at schools, doctors offices and in local communities. Board of Health Chair Joe Cressy says city-run clinics will feature selfie stations, stickers and colouring. 

In Ottawa, Appointments are available at one of Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) seven community clinics. 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.

-With files from The Canadian Press