Calling it the “last major hurdle” in the “COVID-19 marathon”, the province expects to start receiving shipments of the Pfizer COVID vaccine for children within the next 24-48 hours.
Health Canada approved the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, with the official roll-out of vaccines expected in the coming days.
The two-dose 10 microgram vaccine will be administered at least eight weeks apart and will be offered through schools across the province and at general vaccine clinics.
Officials are advising that the COVID vaccine not be administered within 14 days before or after another vaccine, primarily to ensure that if there are side effects, officials will have a better idea about what caused the side effects.
Clinical trials show the vaccine is 90.7 per cent effective in children with no serious side effects. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the vaccine is safe and effective.
She says there are about 35,000 eligible children in Newfoundland and Labrador and she strongly encourages parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated.
