Teens Ages 16 And Older Can Get A Booster Shot
Everyone ages 16 years and older can get a booster shot. Teens ages 16 to 17 years old can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary series.
Currently, a booster shot is not recommended for children and teens younger than 16 years old.
According To Public Health Ontario 38 Children Under Five Have Been Hospitalized With Covid Over The Past Few Weeks There Has Been One Recent Death In A Child Under Five
May Warrentimer
Ontario hospitals are seeing a rise in the number of kids, including babies, hospitalized with COVID-19, leading four major hospitals to issue a joint plea for pregnant people to get vaccinated.
In response to the disturbing, potential new trend of infants admitted with COVID, the Hospital for Sick Children, CHEO in Ottawa, McMaster Childrens Hospital in Hamilton, and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, released a joint statement Wednesday calling for anyone who is pregnant to get their shots, to protect not only themselves but their babies through antibodies they pass on.
Currently we are seeing the highest numbers of children being admitted with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, said Dr. Anne Pham-Huy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at CHEO. With such high community transmission, a few will end up in the hospital, and thats what were seeing, she said.
According to Public Health Ontario, 38 children under five, including babies, have been hospitalized with COVID across Ontario over the past few weeks, and nine aged five to 11. There has been one recent death in a child under five.
There are nine children at CHEO with COVID and one in the ICU. There have also been four infants admitted in the past few weeks. None of their mothers had been vaccinated against COVID.
McMaster Childrens Hospital has also admitted more babies in recent weeks than in past pandemic waves, according to a joint press release from the four hospitals.
Can My Child Get A Covid
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 and older. Johns Hopkins Medicine encourages all families to have eligible children vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, Pfizers vaccine is the only approved COVID-19 vaccine for children.
We encourage you to use all available local and state resources, including retail pharmacies, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also review our resources to help find a vaccination site for your child.
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Diseases With Vaccination Available
meningitis | one injection |
From September 2019 the HPV vaccine will be offered to 12 to 13 year old boys and girls
Some babies in high-risk groups get a BCG vaccine for protection against tuberculosis when they are born. Higher risk infants might also get extra vaccinations against hepatitis B.
Your doctor or health visitor will give you more information if your child needs protection.
Side Effects Of Covid

So far, what we know about the vaccine side effects for kids comes from the trial study data released by Pfizer. A total of 2,268 children participated in this trial, with 1,517 children receiving the vaccine, and 751 receiving a placebo. Children participating in the trial received 1/3 the dose that adults and teens have received. Your child will be receiving this smaller dose as well.
Among the children receiving the vaccine, there were no severe reactions or side effects, says José Mayorga, MD, Executive Director, UCI Health Family Health Center. There were also no severe reported allergic reactions, including no cases of anaphylaxis, he adds. Importantly, there were no reports of myocarditis or pericarditis, a severe, but manageable side effect that has been reported mainly among young men receiving mRNA vaccines like the Pfizer vaccine.
Its likely reassuring for most parents to hear that there were no severe side effects among trial participants. But if there are any side effects at all, we parents want to know all the details so that we can prepare ourselves, and our kids. Do vaccine side effects mean missed days of school? Will our kids be uncomfortable or feel sick?
Lets take a look at the most common and less common side effects, and what to know about them.
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If You Have Multiple Children They Each Need An Appointment
You can take more than 1 child to get vaccinated at once. They each need to have their own appointment for the same day and same clinic, but the appointments don’t need to be at the same time. You can arrive at the clinic at any of the appointment times you booked, and all family members will be vaccinated at the same time.
For example, if you have 2 children that you would like to get vaccinated after school on December 16:
- Book 1 appointment for 3:30 pm on December 16
- Book another appointment at any available time at the same clinic on December 16
- Take both children to the appointment at 3:30 pm
Getting Your Child Immunised
Before your child starts school, they usually get their vaccinations at your doctor’s surgery or local health clinic. The Child Health system or the doctors surgery usually sends you the invitation to make a vaccination appointment.
Your child can get some vaccinations in school. The school will contact you before they give your child a vaccine.
If you have any questions, ask your health visitor, doctor, school nurse or a practice nurse in the doctor’s surgery.
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Who Needs A Pre
- All travellers 5 years of age or older
- You must provide proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result to enter Canada OR proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days ago .
If you are now symptom-free, you can provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular test when crossing the border, instead of a negative one.
- The test must have been taken at least 14 and no more than 180 days before :
- the initial scheduled departure time of your aircraft
- your scheduled entry into Canada by water or land
- The proof of the positive result must be from an accepted type of molecular test
- If your positive proof is accepted you wont have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
You must take a molecular test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada.
If you have a connecting flight:
- the test must be taken within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada
- you may need to schedule the test in your transit city
Most Children And All Teens Can Get Covid
CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19.
Vaccines Authorized For
Children 4 years and under:
- None
Children 511 years old:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
Teens 1217 years old:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
Everyone 18 years and older:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
J& J / Janssen
Widespread vaccination for COVID-19 is a critical tool to best protect everyone from COVID-19 and COVID-19 related complications. Children and teens who are fully vaccinated can safely resume many activities that they did prior to the pandemic.
Everyone ages 16 years and older can get a COVID-19 booster shot. Learn more about booster shots.
Learn about myths and facts or get answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children.
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How Do Kids Side Effects Compare To Adult Side Effects
As we consider vaccinating our children, many of us are remembering the side effects we experienced after getting vaccinated against COVID. Some of us experienced quite intense side effects and needed the day off from work after our shots, particularly after the second dose.
Dr. Deeter reminds us that children aged 5 to 11 are receiving one-third the dosage that adults received. As of November 17th, over 2.6 million kids aged 5 to 11 have been vaccinated. So far, most of the reported side effects among children have been on the milder side.
In Pfizers trials in this population, there were no serious adverse effects reported, including no reports of myocarditis, Dr. Deeter says. I would expect that kids will experience similar mild flu-like symptoms to adults that will resolve in a couple of days.
Dr. Mayorga notes that children have generally done quite well as compared to teens and adults who received the vaccine. In fact, published data from the CDC compares vaccine side effects among the 5 to 11-year-old cohort to that of 16-25 year-olds. Overall, side effects were milder in the younger children, with teens and young adults experiencing higher rates of fevers, fatigue, headaches, chills, and muscle pain.
Should I Be Worried About The Increasing Number Of Vaccines Recommended For Children
No. Because of advances in science and manufacturing, it is easier than in the past to be sure that vaccines are highly pure. Vaccines represent only a minor stimulation of the infant immune system compared to the large number of potentially dangerous bacteria and viruses babies routinely encounter: starting immediately after a baby is born thousands of different bacteria begin to live on the skin and the lining of the nose, throat, and intestines. The babys immune system rapidly launches immune responses to these bacteria that prevent them from invading the blood stream.
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Can I Get Covid
Yes, it is possible for a child infected with the coronavirus to transmit COVID-19 to another person. Data from some studies suggest that young children may be less likely than older children and adults to spread the coronavirus to others, but it can still happen.
Let’s Talk Health | The New Normal for Kids: During COVID-19 – Part I
Does Cvs Feel Prepared For This New Wave Of Age Eligibility Does Cvs Have Enough Trained Instore Pharmacists And Technicians To Manage The Additional Vaccine Capacity

CVS Pharmacy locations offering the COVIDâ19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years were selected based on available supply of the vaccine. We also selected stores that have vaccinators solely focused on administering vaccines. All locations offering the COVIDâ19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age will be fully staffed and trained for the new wave of eligibility.
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Can Children Ages 5 To 11 Receive The Covid19 Vaccine And The Seasonal Flu Vaccine At The Same Time
Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children ages 5 to 11 may receive the seasonal flu vaccine at the same time they are receiving the PfizerâBioNtech COVIDâ19 vaccine. There is no need to stagger vaccinations. Additionally, if a child has already received a flu shot, they can receive their COVIDâ19 vaccine at any time.
Who Must Quarantine While Awaiting Arrival Test Results
Quarantine requirements depend on where you’ve been within the last 14 days:
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test.
All travellers are strongly encouraged to pre-register for an on-arrival COVID-19 molecular test in advance of landing in Canada to avoid lengthy lines and delays in processing.
If you are randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test, you:
- must take the arrival test as directed on the day you enter Canada. The test may be administered at the airport or you may receive a self-swab kit at the airport or land border to complete within 24 hours after entering Canada
- can take connecting flights to your place of quarantine
- must quarantine in a suitable place while you await the arrival test result
- arent required to pay a fee for the arrival test
- may leave quarantine when you get a negative arrival test result. If the test result is positive you must isolate for a further 10 days
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been randomly selected for an arrival test.
If you are randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test, you:
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Diphtheria Tetanus And Pertussis Vaccination
Routine vaccination
- 5-dose series at 2, 4, 6, 1518 months, 46 years
- Prospectively: Dose 4 may be administered as early as age 12 months if at least 6 months have elapsed since dose 3.
- Retrospectively: A 4th dose that was inadvertently administered as early as age 12 months may be counted if at least 4 months have elapsed since dose 3.
Catch-up vaccination
- Dose 5 is not necessary if dose 4 was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after dose 3.
- For other catch-up guidance, see Table 2.
Special situations
- Wound management in children less than age 7 years with history of 3 or more doses of tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine: For all wounds except clean and minor wounds, administer DTaP if more than 5 years since last dose of tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine. For detailed information, see www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6702a1.htm.
Diphtheria And Tetanus Toxoids And Acellular Pertussis Adsorbed
- Brand Names: Daptacel and Infanrix
- What it’s for: Prevents the bacterial diseases diphtheria, tetanus , and pertussis . This combination vaccine is given as a series in infants and children 6 weeks through 6 years of age, prior to their 7th birthday. The bacteria that cause diphtheria can infect the throat, causing a thick covering that can lead to problems with breathing, paralysis, or heart failure. Tetanus can cause painful tightening of the muscles, seizures, paralysis, and death. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has the initial symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, and a mild cough, which may seem like a typical cold. Usually, the cough slowly becomes more severe. Eventually the patient may experience bouts of rapid coughing followed by the whooping sound that gives the disease its common name as they try to inhale. While the coughing fit is occurring, the patient may vomit or turn blue from lack of air. Patients gradually recover over weeks to months.
- Common side effects may include: Fever, drowsiness, fussiness/irritability, and redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection site.
- Tell your healthcare provider beforehand if: The child is moderately or severely ill, has had swelling of the brain within 7 days after a previous dose of vaccine, has a neurologic disorder such as epilepsy, or has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous shot.
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Have A Family Discussion About Vaccination
Talk to children and youth about the importance of getting vaccinated.
- Tell them about vaccination using age-appropriate language.
- Tell them what will happen and how it will feel.
- Communicate using neutral language.
- Try using words such as ‘pressure’ or ‘poke’ to describe how it might feel.
- Avoid misleading information like ‘it won’t hurt.’
Learn more about:
For the vaccination appointment, pick coping strategies based on each childs needs and preferences. Try:
- distraction
- relaxation techniques
- medication that numb the skin
- this medication dulls the sensation from the needle, and you can get it from the pharmacy without a prescription
- medication should be applied 30 to 60 minutes before the appointment, so plan ahead
If your child is very afraid of needles, talk to your health care provider about it. They might suggest treatment with an expert such as a psychologist. Treating needle fear can help children to accept vaccination and other needle procedures.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Vaccinations
Many children get minor side effects such as redness, soreness and swelling where the needle went in, mild fever, and being irritable or unsettled. If your child has any of these side effects, give them extra fluids to drink, dont overdress them if they feel hot, and consider giving them paracetamol to help ease any fever or soreness. Most side effects are short-lasting and the child recovers without any problems.
For young children about to receive their meningococcal B vaccination, you can give them the recommended dose of paracetamol beforehand. This can help reduce the chance of your child developing a fever. Talk to your doctor or child health nurse before your appointment about how to do this.
Serious reactions to vaccinations are very rare. However, if they do occur, take your child to the doctor immediately.
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Is The Vaccine For Children Different From The Adult Vaccine
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, officially known as Comirnaty, is now approved by Health Canada for everyone aged five and up.
However, the formulas are slightly different for the pediatric dose given to children aged five to 11 and the adult dose, for people aged 12 and up.
Most importantly, the adult dosage contains 30 micrograms of mRNA, while the pediatric dosage is just 10 micrograms.
There is also some very slight variation between the non-medicinal ingredients in each, for improved stability in the smaller dose. This change is not considered clinically significant, according to Health Canada.
When Will Cvs Health Begin Offering The Covid19 Vaccine For Children Ages 5 To 11

We anticipate pediatric doses of the PfizerâBioNTech COVIDâ19 vaccine will be available in select CVS Pharmacy locations starting on Sunday, November 7, upon receipt and confirmation of vaccine supply. We recommend parents and guardians check CVS.com to find locations near them with available appointments.
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