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
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.