Local youth, ages 12 to 17, are being encouraged to book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment as soon as possible.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says youth should get their first dose of the vaccine by early July in order to be able to receive their second dose in mid-August.
They say this ensures they can build immunity before their return to school, as it takes two weeks for a dose of the vaccine to take full effect.
At last week’s Health Unit media conference, Andrea McLellan, Director of COVID-19 Immunization Strategy, said youth clinics have been scheduled for this summer.
“Second dose clinics for youth are planned for the weeks of August 9th and August 16th, if you wait you may not be able to get your second dose before the start of school,” she said. “More than half of eligible school-aged people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are aged 12 to 17 years and haven’t booked your vaccine appointment yet, we encourage you to do so.”
Youth aged 12 to 17 can book at any COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the district, or at a local pharmacy. Either the eligible student or their parents can book the appointment online at Ontario.ca/book-vaccine or by calling the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900. Youth can also put their name on the Health Unit’s standby list available each day clinics are running, which allows some individuals to receive same-day vaccination. Individuals who are turning 12 this year are encouraged to book their vaccine as soon as they can after their birthday.
For more information, visit myhealthunit.ca/covid19vaccine.