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Today, children between six months and four years of age can access COVID-19 vaccines at 11 dedicated clinics in the Vancouver Coastal Health, or VCH, region.
The region includes Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, the North Shore, Vancouver, Richmond, the Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
On Aug. 2, VCH issued a news release stating over 45,000 children in its area are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
This development arrives a few weeks after Health Canada approved the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged six months to five years old. In mid-July, that vaccine was the first to be authorized for children in this age group.
Parents and guardians may register their kids on the Get Vaccinated system. Once appointments are available, they will receive a notification and can book a location, time and date for their most convenient appointment.
Most clinics have separate quiet spaces for children with special needs such as autism, sensory processing, or needle phobia.
Older children from five years of age and above continue to be eligible for vaccination. The health authority says that parents or guardians with several children will be accommodated for immunizations across VCH clinics.
COVID-19 vaccination information and resources, including guidance on how to prepare children for vaccination, can be found on the BCCDC website. VCH advises anyone with questions regarding childhood COVID-19 vaccinations to speak to their family doctor, nurse practitioners, or to call 8-1-1 for healthcare guidance.
