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By Jaryn Vecchio

COVID Vaccine For Children

‘Welcome news’: P.A. daycare provider eagerly waiting COVID vaccine for children

Sep 21, 2021 | 4:29 PM

Children between the ages of five and 11 may soon be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizer and BioNTech announced on Monday they believe providing these kids with a smaller dose of their already approved shot will help protect them against the virus after seeing strong signs from their phased trial.

Around 4,500 children, some as young as six months, were given two doses within 21 days with results reportedly showing it to be safe and effective for younger individuals.

“We are eager to extend the protection afforded by the vaccine to this younger population, subject to regulatory authorization, especially as we track the spread of the delta variant and the substantial threat it poses to children,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer.

There’s currently no timeline on when it would be approved, though Pfizer and BioNTech are hoping to share the data with different countries as soon as possible.

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Meanwhile, the potential arrival of this vaccine for children is welcoming news for a daycare chain in Prince Albert.

Children’s Choice Child Development has five locations in the city, providing programs and services for kids between the ages of 18 months and 12-years-old.

Executive Director Gail Szautner says this potential vaccine could make the already tricky job of protecting a child during the pandemic a lot easier.

“You can’t self-distance yourselves from children and children self-distance from each other, children are together because that’s where they need to be.”

Throughout the pandemic, Children’s Choice has only had three of their children contract the virus despite helping over 300.

Even though they haven’t seen much spread, Szautner believes the added protection from the vaccine will help everyone physically and mentally.

“It’s a really great thing if we can immunize more people and, certainly, it helps everyone feel safer,” she said.

If approved by Health Canada, the vaccine won’t be mandatory.

“We do ask on the initial enrollment forms if your child’s vaccinations are up to date just so we know,” Szautner added.

Children’s Choice has had some overall discussions with families about the COVID vaccine with Szautner claiming they’ve all been positive.

She adds she has yet to hear from any of their clients about not giving their child the shot if it becomes available.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow