Beginning August 2, 2022, all people over the age of six months in B.C. can now receive protection against the COVID-19 virus, following Health Canada’s approval of the vaccine specifically formulated for children between the ages of six months and five years old.
“Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of needing to be hospitalized due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Mike Benusic, medical health officer at Island Health. “Children fortunately are at low risk of severe disease from COVID-19. Low risk, however, does not equal no risk. Vaccinations can help further reduce the risk of children getting really sick from COVID-19.”
Parents and caregivers must first register their children in the provincial system Getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca. Once registration is complete, parents will be invited to book an appointment at their local community clinic when immunization starts in August. Parents can register children younger than six months now. When the child turns six months, the parent will get an invitation to book an appointment.
Appointments are necessary for these vaccines and will be held in child-friendly local immunization clinics. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are not available in pharmacies.
Vaccination helps children and families get back to many important activities that positively benefit children’s physical and mental health. The vaccine also reduces the risk of transmission to children’s close contacts who may be at higher risk of severe illness.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine.