NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGION
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The Regional Municipality of York and our partners are diligently finalizing plans for the administration of Health Canada authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children 5 to 11 years of age across York Region.
York Region is working alongside local school boards to launch school-based vaccination clinics in targeted school locations. In addition, five to 11-year-olds will be able to access pop-up clinics and community hub clinics across York Region. We anticipate starting to administer the vaccine in clinics for this age group as of Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. This date is subject to availability of vaccine supply from the province.
Appointments must be made for five to 11-year-olds. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, residents can book an appointment online at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine or by calling 1-877-464-9675.
York Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force and our health system partners, which includes primary care physicians and pharmacies, continue to finalize plans for the approximately 91,000 children ages five to 11 in York Region who will be eligible for the vaccine. Vaccine distribution will be based on supply. The proposed vaccine for this age group will be a lower dosage of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As with previous stages in the vaccine rollout, we will follow the direction of the Province on how to prioritize vaccine administration.
COVID-19 infections can have serious consequences for all age groups, particularly given the circulation of new variants of concern. An approved COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11-year-olds represents significantly more protection for children, their families and the community as a whole.
York Region’s planned rollout for this age group will be supported by a wide-ranging marketing campaign which includes print, broadcast, digital and social media, all in multiple languages. The campaign will use kid-friendly creative aimed at parents and caregivers of children five to 11-years-old.
Every effort will be made to make the vaccination process as comfortable as possible for children and families, including support to reduce anxiety and vaccine-related fears. Parents and caregivers with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, especially for children with complicated medical histories or specialized needs, can speak to a York Region Public Health Nurse by calling 1-800-361-5653 or a pediatric Registered Nurse though the SickKids COVID-19 Consult Services.
Vaccination is accessible and convenient in York Region; for a list of current vaccine clinics or to book an appointment, visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with 650,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices
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