The Ontario government announced late on Friday afternoon (May 21) that youth aged 12 and over will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment as of 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 23rd.
Youth who book an appointment will receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized by Health Canada for youth aged 12 and over.
Youth who are 12 years and older as of May 23 can book an appointment by phoning the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900, which is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week, or by booking online at ontario.ca/bookvaccine.
Youth are turn 12 in 2021 but after May 23, can also book an appointment for a later date. Youth will have to be 12 years of age by the date of their appointment. The province says it expects to reach all youth aged 12 and over with a first dose before the end of June, and with a second dose by the end of August.
The Pfizer vaccine is also available at many pharmacies in Ontario, including in the greater Kawarthas region. As of Friday, another 600 pharmacies began offering the Pfizer vaccine to those 18 years and older, and eligibility will be expanded to those 12 years and older on Sunday. Visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for a list of pharmacies offering Pfizer.
The province is also encouraging eligible family members who have not yet received their first dose of vaccine to also book their appointments along with youth in their family.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines for youth between 12 and 17 years of age, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth.
