Ontario’s top doctor says children aged five to 11 will be able to get a COVID-19 booster shot, beginning Thursday.
Dr. Kieran Moore made the comments during a press conference at Queen’s Park on Wednesday.
Vaccines for that age group were first approved last November.
Moore said appointments will be available to be booked through the province’s online portal beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
Wednesday’s announcement comes as students in Ontario prepare to return to schools this fall for the first time without COVID-19 restrictions during the pandemic.
On August 19, The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), recommended the use of a first COVID-19 booster dose in children aged five to 11.
Asked by reporters why it took so long for Ontario to open vaccine booking to the age group, Moore said officials were reviewing the NACI guidelines and “creating medical directives.”
He said the booking system is “ready to go,” adding that healthcare providers will be “ready to immunize” on Thursday.
Moore said his office has worked closely with the province’s Ministry of Education to develop a plan to allow for safe, in-person learning this school year.
He said some measures will remain in place including practicing good hand hygiene, staying up to date with vaccinations and asking students and staff to stay home when they are sick.
“These things will always be in practice to maintain the health and safety of students, teachers and staff in schools,” he said. “We should also expect enhanced cleaning procedures to continue along with improvements that have been made in air filtration and ventilation to help maintain a safe learning environment.”
Moore said “high-quality” masks will also continue to be available for students, teachers and school staff.
“We are strongly encouraging school boards and schools to promote a respectful and inclusive environment for students and staff who choose to wear a mask or not at school,” he said.
Moore said students and visitors will also be asked to continue to screen every day using the school and child care screening tool, which is available online.
He said the screening tool has been updated to reflect the most recent guidance.
“Ontario students deserve a safe and health school year and we should all support that by staying up to date with our vaccines, screening on a daily basis and follow these public health guidelines,” he said.
Moore said the province is continuing to experience the seventh wave of the pandemic, driven “primarily” by the BA.5 variant.
He said, though, that indicators suggest the wave has plateaued.
Moore said the virus “remains in the community” adding that he expects another increase of COVID-19 in the coming months as the province enters respiratory virus season.
He said people should continue to wear a mask “when it is right” for them, should stay up to date with vaccinations and should stay home when they’re sick.
-with files from The Canadian Press