Alberta expands COVID-19 vaccine boosters to children aged 5 to 11

Alberta is expanding the COVID-19 vaccine to children ages five to 11 as families prepare for another school year.

In a statement on Friday morning, the province said orders will open on August 29 and booster doses will begin to be administered on August 31. The booster shots must be pre-ordered. through the Alberta’s Vaccine Reservation System and will be administered at Alberta Health Services clinics across the province.

The province said booster vaccines will also be available at some pharmacies.

“Parents and guardians can make appointments for their children as early as the start of the new school year,” Health Secretary Jason Copping said in a statement Friday.

“Within the next few days, we will begin to provide booster doses and help provide ongoing protection from COVID-19, especially as our children return to the classroom.”

This comes after Health Canada authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 injection for children aged five to 11 years old on August 19. Children in that age range are advised to wait at least six months after completing the dose. second before injecting the booster dose.

The province says immunocompromised children are already eligible for a third dose, so these boosters will be their fourth dose.

“Vaccines remain one of the most important layers of protection we have access to for ourselves and our children. This booster dose is an important option for families, especially those with children with medical risk factors,” said Dr Deena Hinshaw in Friday’s statement.