Children turning five this year not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccine: OPH
Ottawa parents who have booked their four-year-old for a COVID-19 vaccine or their 17-year-old for a booster dose are being asked not to show up for scheduled appointments.
Some parents of children turning five this year were able to book appointments for them through the provincial booking system before their birthdays. And parents of 17-year-olds who turn 18 this year were also able to book booster doses for them.
However, Ottawa Public Health now says those children remain ineligible for shots, and the appointments were able to be booked due to an issue with the provincial system.
“We are currently unable to vaccinate children under 5-years or provide booster doses for those under 18-years,” the health unit tweeted on Tuesday.
“As of Jan. 3, 2022,we have received provincial direction that health units NOT vaccinate residents under 5-years of age or provide boosters to those under 18-years of age.”
The health unit says it’s working with the province to find a solution for people who have already booked appointments, and will follow up with those who were already vaccinated prior to this provincial direction coming down.
“The province has informed us they intend to have this issue with the provincial vaccine booking system resolved by Jan. 7,” OPH said.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches said the reason children turning five in 2021 were eligible when the vaccine was first made available to them was because it was near the end of the year so their fifth birthdays were not far away. She also said that OPH will be reaching out to families of four-year-olds who got a vaccine to inform them of the best course of action when it comes to receiving the second dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.