Tuesday with the exciting news for the families of Newfoundland and Labrador: the next population group in the state will soon be able to line up for the COVID 19 vaccine.
Health authorities are planning to receive a special reduced dose of Pfizer BioN Tech for children aged 5 to 11 (about 35,000 in the state).
This is what you need to know.
How would my kid get vaccinated?
There are two ways to do this. Parents can make an appointment at a local vaccination clinic available from Saturday. You can also wait until next week when the school will be vaccinated.
However, it is not yet clear which school will provide the vaccine. It is the responsibility of local health agencies to plan this and they will post this information on their respective websites in the coming days.
Health Minister John Haggie suggested that a larger school, or perhaps a school in a smaller local community, could be selected as a vaccine clinic. Parents are required to sign an informed consent form if they choose the school vaccination option.
You will also receive a letter from the school notifying you of possible dates. Parents can unregister. children need two doses and should not be vaccinated within 14 days of another vaccination as a precautionary measure.
How can I book a clinic appointment?
Online via the Vaccination Reservation Portal or by phone in the local health department.
When booking online, you have the option of age category five to 11.
What if I have no appointments available?
Health officials believe that there is a sufficient initial dose to vaccinate children of this age group in the state.
Haggie said his department expects further delivery of the second can within eight weeks.
Do the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks?
This is what health authorities and medical professionals believe.
Dr. Natalie Bridger, a doctor specializing in infectious diseases in children, states that the virus caused death and serious illness in Canadian children.
Then there is a possibility of complications due to illness. In Canada, about 300 children developed what is known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome as a result of COVID 19.
New evidence of “long-term COVID” in children is a condition that can last for months, and parents may decide to vaccinate, according to Bridger.
There is also a risk of developing myocarditis from the Pfizer vaccine itself. This is a rare but possible side effect. “That’s what we’re paying attention to,” he said.
Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Health Officer of the State. Although it is not yet clear how vaccination-induced myocarditis affects children and prevalence, Fitzgerald has the country’s best experts and regulators to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective for children. Admitted to be the target, New Foundland and Labrador aimed to meet that 90 vaccination rate target.
How can I explain vaccination to my child?
Health Canada will interfere. According to health officials, younger children may benefit from explaining that they may be “stuck” or “pressured”, but they may provide misleading information. Do not tell that it is harmless.
Try to answer all questions according to age to reduce the fear of needles. Also, consider bringing toys and other distractions to your clinic appointment. If you’re really scared, try applying a local anesthetic from the pharmacy about 30 minutes before the syringe.
Read More: Your questions answered about kids and N.L.’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout | CBC News
