Update on the vaccine rollout for children ages 5 to 11

Minister John Haggie, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, and Dr. Natalie Bridger, Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician and Clinical Chief of Infection Prevention and Control for Eastern Health provided an update today on the vaccine rollout for children ages 5 to 11.

The first dose of the vaccine for children is expected to arrive in the province within 24 to 48 hours.

The vaccine is 90.7 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in the 5-11 age group. The vaccine will be two doses of 10 micrograms 8 weeks apart. There have been no serious side effects.

There are about 35, 000 children in the province who are eligible for the vaccine.

The vaccines will be administered in clinics and schools.