COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live, non-live, adjuvanted or unadjuvanted vaccines.

Who is Eligible?

As of 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, parents and caregivers of children aged six months to under five years will be able to book appointments for the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

Children aged five and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Children become eligible for vaccination on or after their 5th birthday.

Youth aged 12 and older are eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as long as it has been 168 days since their second dose.

For information about upcoming clinics, visit hpepublichealth.ca/vaccine-booking.

Why should my teen/child get vaccinated?

Getting the COVID-19 vaccination will help keep kids safe. Vaccination is the best way to protect everyone from serious illness related to COVID-19. Getting vaccinated will help kids and their families get back to enjoying all the activities they love – safely! If your child is eligible for a booster dose, this extra protection will further reduce their risk of serious illness related to COVID-19.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for kids and youth?

COVID-19 vaccine has been thoroughly reviewed, and has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals age 5 and older. No compromises have been made in the testing and approval process. Vaccines are tested through rigorous clinical trials where thousands of people receive the vaccine, and the effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as any adverse effects, are reported. Health Canada reviews data from these clinical trials and determines if the benefits of the vaccines outweigh any potential risks. Through this process, it has been determined that the COVID-19 is safe and important for youth.

My teen/child is nervous about the appointment. How can I help?

Meet Max the Vax, who can walk your child through many common questions about vaccine. To reduce potential anxiety, talk to your child about what to expect at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic. If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine and your child, you can also book a free phone consultation with a nurse at Sick Kids hospital, to discuss the COVID-19 vaccination.

I want what is best for my teen/child. How can I make an informed decision?

The following resources are available to help youth and families make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination:

Resources for parents/caregivers:

• 3 Reasons to Get Vaccinated
• Helping your child cope with vaccine fear and anxiety – Pandemic Parenting
• COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ for Parents of Children and Youth – Ministry of Health
• Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Kids? – Ontario’s pediatricians answer FAQ
• Book a free phone consultation with a nurse at Sick Kids hospital.

Resources for children:

• Max the Vax answers kid’s common questions about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Consent form for Children and Youth – Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Children and Youth – Updated Feb 22, 2022 – Ministry of Health
• Worried About Your Appointment? Try the CARD Strategy

Resources for teens:

• COVID-19 Vaccination Q&A for Students – HPEPH
• COVID-19 Vaccination Information Sheet for Youth (Updated Feb 22, 2022) – Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Vaccine Consent form for Children and Youth – Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Children and Youth – Ministry of Health
• Worried About Your Appointment? Try the CARD Strategy

Additional information about vaccine safety, potential side effects, and building immunity is available at covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth

Still have questions? The SickKids team of paediatric Registered Nurses are ready to listen and answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Book a consultation.

Age of vaccination consent

Under the Health Care Consent Act, be advised that there is no minimum age to provide consent. This means that your child can consent to be vaccinated without parental consent. This act sets out certain rules on when consent is needed for treatment and how it must be obtained.
Vaccination is considered a treatment and requires consent. The consent must:

• Relate to the treatment being proposed
• Be informed
• Be voluntary, and not have been obtained through misrepresentation or fraud

A person is capable of giving consent to vaccination if they:

• Understand the information that’s important to making a decision concerning vaccination, and
• Understand the consequences of a decision or lack of a decision

Consent is informed, if before giving it:

• The person received information about the proposed treatment in the manner that any person in the same circumstances would require in order to make a decision, and
• The person received answers to their request for additional information about the proposed treatment