Alberta starting prep work to vaccinate children under 12
One of the western provinces is setting itself up to be ready to vaccinate children against COVID-19 when a shot becomes available.
Alberta is taking registrations from parents for children aged five to 11, who remain too young for any vaccines approved in Canada. Only the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is approved for youth, 12 years and older.
“Planning is underway to move quickly to offer vaccines to additional age groups once approved by Health Canada. We cannot proceed until Health Canada approves a vaccine and the doses arrive in Alberta,” a confirmation statement from Alberta Health on Tuesday read.
“Any timeline depends on Health Canada approval. However, Alberta Health, AHS and other partners are working hard to have the system in place so that parents can quickly book appointments for their kids when the doses arrive.”
To register means to make an account through which parents will eventually book a vaccination appointment.
The account also allows them to book a flu shot for children six months and older.
A health card number, name and phone number is needed.
- Half of Canadian parents would vaccinate their 5-11 year old ASAP: survey
- These countries are vaccinating children against COVID-19
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer and biotechnology company BioNTech said Friday they have requested to have their coronavirus vaccine licensed for children ages five to 11 across the European Union.The data they submitted to the European Medicines Agency includes late-stage results from a study testing their COVID-19 vaccine in more than 2,200 children ages six months to 11 years. The children received a lower dose than what's normally given to adults. The companies said in a statement that the results showed a “strong immune response” in the children and that the vaccine was also found to be safe.
In the U.S., the White House is expected to authorize the Pfizer shot for younger children in a matter of weeks.
With files from CTVNews.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.