Parents can book second vaccine for children 5 to 11 at a shorter interval, Ottawa Public Health says
Ottawa's top doctor says parents can move up their child's second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the Omicron variant spreads and students prepare to return to school for in-person learning.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended children between the ages of 5 and 11 receive the second dose eight weeks after the first dose.
Medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches says while the NACI recommendation points to evidence showing that an eight-week interval produces a "stronger and longer-lasting immune response," parents can move up the dose to as early as 21 days after the first.
"A shorter interval of no less than 21 days has been shown to be safe and effective. So parents who wish to book their child at a shorter interval have the option to do so," said Etches, noting parents must provide "informed consent" to move up the second dose.
Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age in November with a three-week interval between doses.
Parents and guardians can call the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900 to book a second dose appointment, or drop-in to an Ottawa Public Health community clinic.
Etches says Ottawa Public Health is working to increase vaccination rates among students, teachers and school staff, including school-based immunization clinics once schools reopen.
As of Wednesday, 64 per cent of Ottawa children aged 5 to 11 had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while eight per cent had received two doses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.