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
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.