(Saskatchewan Health Authority/Submitted)

By 650 CKOM News

Kids 5 to 11 eligible for COVID boosters starting Wednesday

Aug 30, 2022 | 2:05 PM

On Wednesday, Saskatchewan will start offering COVID-19 booster shots to children between the ages of five and 11.

In a media release Tuesday, the provincial government said kids in that age group will be eligible to get their third dose. It’s recommended they get the shot at least four months after their second dose.

The move comes just as the school year is about to begin.

On Wednesday, parents and guardians will be able to book appointments at Saskatchewan Health Authority clinics online or by calling 1-833-727-5829 seven days a week from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The SHA also may be operating walk-in clinics, and pharmacies may offer boosters as well.

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Indigenous Services Canada and the Northern Inter-Tribal Authority are to hold vaccination clinics in First Nation and Métis communities.

Pfizer is the only vaccine currently approved by Health Canada to be used as a booster for children.

A parent or legal guardian must be present at the time of vaccination to provide verbal, informed consent. If the parent asks another adult (such as a grandparent or other relative) to accompany the child, that adult must present a consent form signed by the parent.

“Receiving this booster dose is especially important for children at higher risk of serious COVID-19 illnesses due to immunosuppression or other chronic health conditions,” Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, said in the release. “I encourage parents of all school-age children to ensure those children have completed their primary series of a first and second dose and consider the booster dose.”

If immunocompromised children aged five to 11 already have received their third dose, they now can get an additional dose provided four months have passed since their third shot.

All Saskatchewan residents over the age of six months now are eligible for COVID vaccinations.