Simcoe Muskoka children six months to under 5 can get COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday
Parents of children under five in Simcoe Muskoka can book an appointment for the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday.
"We are very pleased that children aged six months to under five years are now able to receive their COVID-19 vaccine," said Dr. Charles Gardner, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's medical officer of health.
According to the health unit, evidence reveals a lower dose of the Moderna Spikevax is safe for babies and young children and helps to protect them from severe illness and hospitalization associated with COVID-19.
RELATED
- Summer spike in COVID-19 cases across Simcoe Muskoka
- Ontario's top doctor to announce expansion of COVID-19 booster shots Wednesday
The Moderna Spikevax mRNA vaccine is the first COVID-19 shot authorized by Health Canada for children six months to under five.
Health officials recommend two doses at least eight weeks apart.
Parents and guardians can book appointments online using the vaccination portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or by dropping by any participating pharmacy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Adviser on unmarked graves says some landowners are refusing access for searches
Some private landowners are refusing access to residential school survivors who are looking to perform ceremony or search their properties for possible unmarked graves, a Senate committee heard Tuesday.

These foods cost more in Canada, despite inflation rate slowdown
Overall inflation in Canada is cooling, according to just-released data, but the trend is not being reflected at grocery stores, where prices for some items continue to grow.
Trudeau's top aide Telford to testify, amid Hill drama over foreign interference
After weeks of resistance, and ahead of a vote that could have compelled it to happen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced Tuesday that his chief of staff Katie Telford will testify about foreign election interference, before a committee that has been studying the issue for months.
Gould says passport application backlog 'completely eliminated', announces online status checker
Canada's passport application backlog has been 'completely eliminated,' according to the minister responsible for the file.
Via Rail apologizes after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa train station
Via Rail is apologizing after a Muslim man was told he couldn't pray at the Ottawa train station.
Plastics at all stages detrimental to human health, analysis finds
A collaborative new report has detailed the wide-ranging health impacts of plastics, right from their production all the way to their use and eventual disposal.
Kitchen renovation unearths paintings nearly 400 years old
Murals believed to be nearly 400 years old have been discovered at an apartment in northern England following a kitchen renovation.
Johnston's mandate as special rapporteur on foreign interference has been released
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston's mandate, which instructs the former governor general to determine by May 23 whether a public inquiry is necessary.
Strong magnitude 6.5 quake rattles Afghanistan, Pakistan
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake rattled much of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday, sending panicked residents fleeing from homes and offices and frightening people even in remote villages. At least two people died.