THUNDER BAY – Vaccine booking for children under five will open Thursday, with appointments in the Thunder Bay District available beginning that day.
Parents and caregivers can booked appointments for those children through the provincial booking system or by calling 1-833-943-3900 as of 8 a.m. Thursday, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit advised in a release Tuesday.
With the agency’s Thunder Bay vaccine clinic at the CLE Coliseum closed from Thursday until Aug. 16 due to the CLE fair, vaccination will be available at the health unit’s headquarters at 999 Balmoral Street, by appointment only.
During the closure, the health unit will also offer the following mobile vaccine clinics for all ages, including those under five:
· August 2, 2022: Da Vinci Centre – 340 Waterloo Street South
· August 3, 2022: CLE Heritage Building – 425 Northern Avenue
· August 8, 2022: Italian Cultural Centre – 132 Algoma Street South
Both appointments and walk-ins will be available at those clinics.
In other district communities, the health unit said it will work with family health teams to provide opportunities for children under five to access the vaccine. More information is available online.
The TBDHU pledged to offer further children’s vaccination clinics going forward, advising residents to visit its website or follow social media channels.
Select pharmacies and participating primary care providers will also offer the children’s vaccine.
Health Canada approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children on July 14, comprising a paediatric dose one quarter the size of that received by adults.
Also known by its brand name Spikevax, the vaccine involves two doses of 25 micrograms each, with an interval of four weeks.
Health Canada pointed to data showing the vaccine produced a comparable immune response to that seen in adults, with no safety signals identified during a trial.
More information on Health Canada's approval is available at its website.
Pfizer’s children’s vaccine for the same age group was submitted to Health Canada for approval in June. The agency has not yet made an announcement on its approval.
Parents and caregivers with questions are encouraged to speak with their health care provider or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to speak to a health specialist, the health unit said.
