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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING 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.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
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.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'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.