Ontario plans to vaccinate children against COVID-19 in June

Ontario is targeting June to begin vaccinating adolescents age 12 to 17 against COVID-19.

Kids and teens could get a shot at existing clinics or through future initiatives specifically targeting them, according to an immunization update Ontario health officials gave on Wednesday.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received approval from Health Canada for use on young teens last week, and provinces have been working to incorporate youth in vaccination plans that initially only focused on the adult population.

Ontario is on track to open up vaccine eligibility to anyone 18 and older the week of May 24, and children under 18 will become eligible sometime in the weeks after.

• See also:
  • Ontario plans to vaccinate teens against COVID-19 at school
  • Health Canada authorizes use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents
  • Here are the COVID-19 pop-up vaccine clinics in Toronto today

Health Minister Christine Elliott said previously that vaccination clinics might be set up in schools to target 12 to 17-year-olds.

“We want to make sure our young people are protected from COVID-19 as well,” Elliott said at a May 5 news conference.

Ontario reached a milestone this week of vaccinating 50% of adults. So far, approximately 6.5 million shots have been administered.