Five to 11 year olds now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster

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Huron Perth, ON – On August 31, 2022, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Moore, announced that children aged five to 11 will be eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and caregivers are able to book an appointment for their child as of September 1, 2022.

Eligible children can receive their first booster dose at a recommended interval of at least six months following their most recent dose.

“A booster helps to restore protection against COVID-19 that may have decreased over time”, says Dr. Lauren Hayward, Physician Consultant at Huron Perth Public Health. “COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and continue to provide excellent protection against serious illness. I strongly encourage everyone to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations by receiving all doses recommended, based on your age and health status.”  

Children and youth who have not yet received a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to do so. Vaccines continue to be available for other age groups as well.

Dates and locations for HPPH vaccination clinics can be found at www.hpph.ca/GetVaccinated. Clinics are by appointment only; however, pregnant individuals and children ages five to 11 can walk in to most HPPH clinics (we cannot provide vaccine for individuals ages five and up at our clinics designated only for those ages six months to under five years). COVID-19 vaccinations are also still available through some pharmacies and primary care providers.

Starting September 19, HPPH vaccination clinics will be all-ages and provide vaccinations for individuals six months and older. This will allow families with children both under, and over, the age of five to attend a single clinic.

Book your appointment for an HPPH clinic:

  • Online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
  • By calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or
  • By calling the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098 (open Monday-Friday 9 am to 3:30 pm)
    • Please note that on Friday, September 9, 2022, the HPPH booking line will be closed from 9 am to 11:30 am. However, the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre will continue to take appointments and online booking will be available as well.

Updated public health guidance

Ontario is updating public health guidance to manage COVID-19 during the respiratory illness season this fall. Some key highlights include:

  • If you are in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, continue to self- monitor for symptoms. There is no longer a need to isolate as long as you are not experiencing any symptoms. You should wear a mask for 10 days when in public from last contact from a person with COVID.
  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or runny nose, stay home from school, work and social events until your fever is gone and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, get a rapid antigen test or, if eligible, a PCR test. Wear a mask for 10 days after and avoid non-essential visits to high-risk individuals and settings such as long-term care homes.

Rapid antigen tests continue to be available to the public through participating pharmacies and grocery stores. For more information on what to do if you think you have COVID-19, visit Ontario.ca/exposed.

HPPH expects to see other respiratory viruses, such as influenza, circulating in addition to COVID-19 this fall. We encourage everyone to practice the following habits to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand rub, especially after touching your face or high-touch surfaces.
  • Avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils, with people who are sick.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, light switches and cell phones, especially if someone is sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick and keep sick children out of school and childcare.
  • Do not visit immunocompromised individuals or high-risk settings such as long-term care homes for 10 days after you are sick. This will reduce the chances of spreading illness to this vulnerable population.
  • Consider wearing a mask in indoor settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe illness, or interact with elderly or immune compromised individuals. Remember the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses is higher in crowded, indoor spaces. Masks are a proven tool to help limit the spread of respiratory illnesses in the community.

 

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