Interior Health has COVID-19 vaccines for young kids

Children in the Interior under the age of five can now get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Interior Health (IH) confirms it has received the doses suitable for children between the ages of six months and four years and is ready to administer the shots across the region.

“Vaccination against COVID-19 is still the best way to reduce the risk of getting really sick and needing to be hospitalized due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Carol Fenton, medical health officer with IH.

“While children are at lower risk of severe disease from COVID-19 compared to adults, they can still get very sick. The vaccine is safe and effective in preventing serious illness from COVID-19.”

Appointments are necessary to access the vaccines. Parents and caregivers must register their child online through the provincial system in order to book an appointment at a local community clinic.

Registration is also open for children younger than six months. They will then be invited to book an appointment once the child becomes eligible.

The shots will be administered in child-friendly local immunization clinics, though IH did not specify the locations of these sites.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are not available in pharmacies.

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