Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE
Nov 22, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for 5-11 year olds

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is excited to begin the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program, with the province announcing that a vaccine has been approved for 5-11 year olds in the province.

“We have been waiting for this age group to become eligible, and are excited that the time has arrived,” states Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “Clinic staff are well-prepared to vaccinate this younger group; and I am looking forward to having an added layer of protection for our 5 to 11 year old children.”

Locally, the Health Unit expects to receive COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds this week, and is planning to begin immunizing 5-11 year olds on Friday, November 26 at our clinics. This means that parents and guardians can begin booking appointments for 5-11 year olds starting today, for local clinics schedule on November 26 and beyond:

Benefits of getting the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

• The COVID-19 vaccine protects children from becoming sick with COVID-19, and particularly from becoming so sick that they need to be hospitalized.
• Some people (including children) are reporting ‘long-COVID’ – breathing problems, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms that last for months or more – even if their initial infection from COVID-19 was not severe.
• Children who are vaccinated against COVID-19, then help to protect other, more vulnerable people in their lives, like babies, and grandparents – making family gatherings less risky for everyone involved.
• Fully vaccinated children (14 days after receiving their second dose), who are exposed to someone with COVID-19, can still go to school or childcare as long as they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms. Otherwise they need to stay home for up to 10 days.
• Children getting vaccinated will help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among others in the classroom, sports team, or other activities.

How to book a vaccine appointment for a 5-11 year old:

• Book an appointment at the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark online booking portal or call the local Call Centre at 1-844-369-1234. Booking an appointment will ensure your child is prioritized to receive vaccine and reduce wait time at the clinic. Walk in appointments MAY be available based on capacity and supply.
• All local appointments are in the local booking system; and are NOT in the provincial booking system.
• Pharmacies may have vaccine for 5-11 year olds. Check a participating pharmacy
• Some healthcare providers may provide vaccine. Check with your healthcare provider.
• Children who are 5 or were born in 2016 can be booked in for vaccination starting Friday

Upcoming clinics:

A full list of upcoming clinics is available on our website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/protection/vaccine-clinics/  

There will be some Kids Only clinics added to our website later this week. Unvaccinated parents can get their vaccine at the same time as their children.

Here are the local clinics happening on November 26 (first day we will immunize 5-11 year olds), and the following week:

Almonte

• Friday, November 26 – 4:00pm–8:00pm
• Sunday, November 28 – 10:00am–4:00pm
• Monday, November 29 – 4:00pm–8:00pm

Brockville

• Sunday, November 28 – 10:00am–4:00pm
• Monday, November 29 – 12:00pm–7:00pm
• Wednesday, December 1 – 12:00pm–7:00pm
• Thursday, December 2 – 12:00pm–7:00pm

Gananoque

• Monday, November 29 – 12:00pm–6:00pm

Kemptville

• Wednesday, December 1 – 11:00am–6:00pm

Lanark

• Friday, December 3 – 10:00am–3:00pm

Smiths Falls

• Saturday, November 27 – 10:00am–4:00pm
• Tuesday, November 30 – 12:00pm–6:00pm
• Thursday, December 2 – 12:00pm–6:00pm

For more information

We have a dedicated page on our website with more information about the vaccine, how to prepare your child for vaccination, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Visit https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/protection/youth-clinics/  for more information; or speak to your healthcare provider if you have specific questions about your child. 

The most common questions we have received are:

• Will the vaccine will be mandatory for 5-11 year olds? Answer: No.
• Will parent or guardian consent be needed for a 5-11 year old to receive the vaccine? Answer: Yes.
• What about a child who receives their first dose when they are 11, and their second dose when they are 12? Answer: They will receive the dose they are eligible for at the time they receive their vaccine; so a pediatric dose for ages 5-11, and a regular dose for ages 12+

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