Point Edward, ON – Lambton Public Health (LPH), working in partnership with the Sarnia Lambton Ontario Health Team (SL-OHT), and local health-care providers will open registration for vaccinations to children aged 5 to 11 years old on Tuesday, November 23. This follows approval from Health Canada and recommendations from the Government of Ontario.
A variety of family friendly community clinics, school-based clinics, primary care providers and pharmacies will offer the vaccine to eligible children in Lambton County. To view a list of the local COVID-19 vaccine options for this age group and to book your child’s vaccination appointment, visit the LPH youth vaccination webpage which also features extensive FAQ and resource sections.
Dr. Sudit Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for the County of Lambton states: “It is important all eligible children are vaccinated against COVID-19. There are many reasons for this. To protect children against any long-term health effects or complications from contracting the virus, to reduce community spread, and to protect those around them who may be at a higher risk for serious illness.”
While children in this age group may book into available spots in some of the regular COVID-19 clinics, we have added locations that are more family-friendly. Lambton College has generously made their Event Centre available to offer a space that provides more room for families.
LPH is also planning school-based clinics in December that will offer appointments after school hours.
Recognizing that many parents have expressed they would like to have younger children vaccinated in a primary care office, Rapids Family Health Team is partnering with LPH and the SL-OHT to offer vaccinations at their Pontiac Drive clinic. The Rapids Family Health Team clinics will be open to all rostered patients (or patient’s children) ages 5 to 11.
“Health system partners, including primary care, are working together to support all facets of health-care delivery. In this case, supporting vaccination efforts is fundamental to the philosophy of the Ontario Health Team model,” said Steve Pancino, Executive Lead of the Sarnia Lambton OHT. LPH encourages anyone with questions or concerns about children and the COVID-19 vaccine to gather their information from reputable sources like their health-care provider, the LPH website, SickKids vaccine consultation line or Canadian Pediatric Society.
“The COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 has been tested rigorously, is safe, and is being used around the world,” says Bluewater Health Chief of Pediatrics, Dr. Tom Lacroix. “I strongly encourage all eligible children to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vast majority of side effects from the vaccine are mild, but most children don’t have any side effects at all. When considering long-term risks, a pediatric COVID-19 infection is a much more serious concern.”
Dates and times of upcoming clinics (appointments are required for all 5 to 11 year olds):
- Point Edward Optimist Hall
- November 27
- Family Friendly clinics at the Lambton College Event Centre
- November 30, December 4, 7, 11, 14, 20
- Primary care clinics at Rapids Family Health Team (Pontiac Drive clinic)
- December 4, 11, 18, 28, 29, 30
- School-based Clinics
- Lambton Central Collegiate & Vocational Institute, Petrolia: December 8
- St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, Sarnia: December 9
- Rural Clinics
- The Shores Recreation Centre, Forest: December 1, 8, 15
- Wyoming Fairgrounds Building: December 2, 9, 16
Note: These dates are contingent on the delivery of youth vaccines to LPH.
For further details go to GetTheVaccine.ca. For the latest updates and information follow Lambton Public Health’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
-30-
LPH Contact:
LPH-media-inquiries@county-lambton.on.ca