COVID-19 vaccine now available for children five to 11
News Release
COVID-19 vaccine now available for children five to 11
Iqaluit, Nunavut (November 26, 2021) – Minister of Health John Main has announced the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children aged five to 11 is expected to arrive in Nunavut this week-end.
“The arrival of this safe and effective vaccine, along with our existing public health measures, will provide an additional layer of safety for our children, families and communities,” said Minister Main. “Nunavummiut between the ages of five and 11 represent approximately 15 per cent of our territory’s population. I encourage parents to have informed, meaningful conversations with their children and book appointments with their health centre as soon as the schedule is made available.”
The Pfizer pediatric vaccine works the same as the vaccine given to children 12 and older. The only difference being that children five to 11 will be given the vaccine in two smaller doses.
Initially, Nunavut will receive enough vaccines to provide a first dose to all Nunavummiut ages five to 11. Vaccines will be available by appointment at all health centres and at Iqaluit Public Health starting November 29. A parent or guardian will need to accompany the child to the appointment, to give consent for the vaccination.
Second dose immunizations will be scheduled approximately eight weeks after the first, in accordance with recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
“Today marks an important step forward in our efforts to curb the effects and risks of COVID-19 in Nunavut,” said Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Michael Patterson. “The vaccine has been safely administered to more than three million children around the world and has been shown to reduce the chance of serious illness and the spread of the virus to family members not eligible for vaccination.”
Following vaccination, some children may experience side effects such as a sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever or nausea. These side effects are normal and should go away in a few days. If you have questions about the vaccine, please talk to your health care provider.
COVID-19 vaccines for all Nunavummiut aged 12 and older continue to be available, including first and second doses as well as booster shots. Contact your health centre or Iqaluit Public Health to make an appointment.
The vaccine delivery schedule will be released once the vaccines have arrived in the territory. Please note vaccine delivery schedule may be impacted by unexpected circumstances such as weather.
For all the latest information on COVID-19 in Nunavut, please visit: https://www.gov.nu.ca/
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Media Contact:
Chris Puglia
Acting Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email