COVID-19 vaccine available for children six-months to under five-years old

Second booster doses also available for immunocompromised youth 12 to 17-years old

Whitby, Ontario - In line with the recent announcement from the province, Durham Region Health Department will be offering paediatric Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for children six-months to under five-years old. Appointments for this age group will be held at local immunization clinics. Bookings will be available starting at 8 a.m. on July 28. To book an appointment, visit durham.ca/VaccineAppointment. Residents can also receive COVID-19 vaccine at several locations throughout Durham Region including at select health care providers and participating pharmacies.

The COVID-19 paediatric Moderna Spikevax dose for children six-months to under five-years old is administered in a two-dose series. The recommended interval between the two doses is eight weeks (56 days). Children six-months to under five-years old who receive paediatric Moderna Spikevax for their first dose are recommended to receive paediatric Moderna Spikevax for their second dose. While there may be a small risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis with Moderna Spikevax vaccine which has been documented for adolescents and young adults, the associated risks in children six-months to 11-years old is unknown. Parents/guardians who have questions about the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to contact their health care provider.

In addition, starting on July 28, youth 12 to 17-years old who are moderately to severely immunocompromised will be eligible for a second booster dose (fifth dose) of Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine. The interval for a second booster dose for this age group is recommended at 168 days (six months) after the first booster dose (fourth dose). Bookings for second booster doses for this eligibility group will open on July 28 at 8 a.m.

To book an appointment and for clinic locations and hours, please visit durham.ca/VaccineAppointment or call 1-888-444-5113. Appointments will be required for COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to under five-years old and for immunocompromised individuals 12 to 17-years old at this time. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines in Durham Region, visit durham.ca/COVIDVaccines.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.