Skip to main content Skip to sitemap
Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health
Jump to Sitemap Jump to Content

Media Release: Youth encouraged to get booster dose as soon as eligible

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Feb. 17, 2022

As the Province continues its cautious approach to Reopening Ontario, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) thanks residents for their continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Starting tomorrow, youth aged 12 to 17 are eligible for a booster dose 168 days after their second dose.

How to get a booster dose

Eligible youth will receive the Pfizer vaccine, as this is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 12 to 17. To get the vaccine, youth do not need a health card but will need to provide informed consent. This means that they have read and understand information about the COVID-19 vaccine.

In our region, youth can get a booster dose:

“Vaccines continue to be the best protection from serious health consequences due to COVID-19,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “Canadian adolescents 12 to 17 are facing record-high incidence rates of COVID-19 during this new wave, driven in large part by Omicron, and I encourage them to get a booster dose as soon as they are eligible.”

Families are encouraged to make informed decisions about vaccination by reviewing evidence-based information that has been verified by experts. Ontario’s Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Table has a website kidshealthfirst.ca which offers resources for parentsyouth, and health care/social service providers. Other evidence-based resources include:

Additional information about vaccine safety, potential side effects, and building immunity is available at hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines/ If you still have questions about the vaccine after reviewing this information, please talk to your primary care provider.

-30-

Media contacts

Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca

Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca

About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.

Interested in receiving monthly updates about HPEPH programs and services?

Sign up for our e-newsletter

COVID-19 vaccines in HPE

Eligible individuals can receive their vaccination at many participating local pharmacies by contacting the pharmacy directly. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for location and registration information.

Vaccine ordering for health care providers

Vaccine orders for routine immunizations and STI medications continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note that our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure has changed. For the most up to date pick up schedule please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-orders-info-healthcare-providers/.