By Canadian Press

B.C. starts COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 next week, up to 350,000 eligible

Nov 23, 2021 | 2:31 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s COVID-19 immunization program for children between the ages of five and 11 will start next week.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says up to 350,000 children will be eligible for the vaccine and more than 90,000 kids are already registered.

She says Health Canada has approved the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in Canada after an independent scientific review confirmed the first vaccine formulated for younger children is safe and works.

Henry says the vaccination of children is important to protect them from COVID-19, which continues to spread, especially with a fourth wave that is affecting children.

She says health-care providers trained and experienced in administering childhood vaccines will be staffing clinics across B.C.

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Henry says appointment invitations to families with young children registered to receive vaccines will start Monday, with vaccinations to begin almost immediately.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2021.

The Canadian Press