Health unit reverses decision on COVID-19 vaccinations for 11-year-olds
MLHU announced Thursday that those born in 2009 or earlier could get a shot
It turns out kids who are 11 years old but turning 12 before the end of the year cannot get a COVID-19 vaccination in the London area. The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reversed the decision which was initially announced Thursday.
According to London's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Chris Mackie, the office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health asked them to roll back on expanding eligibility, even though some other Ontario health units have been vaccinating 11-year-old children.
"We talked through where the age approval process is within the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, which is our national expert body and the importance of moving as a province, whatever direction we go," said Dr. Mackie. "And so, on that basis, the office of the chief medical officer requested that we roll this decision back for now. And so we have done that."
Health Canada has not approved any COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 12.
Please be advised the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLHU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLHU</a> will NOT be extending COVID-19 vaccination to those who are not yet 12 years old. We have deleted the messages shared on Thursday, August 12 making this announcement, to prevent inaccurate information being shared further.<br><br>More details coming soon.
—@MLHealthUnitDr. Mackie said they originally decided to expand COVID-19 eligibility to anyone born in 2009 or earlier because Alberta, B.C., and at least two Northern Territories allow it.
"We know that the immune system doesn't radically change when children turn 12 and I believe this was the best thing to do for protecting our population," he said.
While the health unit doesn't have a total of how many 11-year-olds were vaccinated Thursday, Dr. Mackie said it could have been dozens.
"It's very important to note that this is not a change related to any new information or safety or adverse events. It's really primarily about making sure we get the process right. And anyone whose children under 12 have been vaccinated at this point does not need to worry about safety."
Vaccinations are approved for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 by Health Canada.
According to data from the MLHU, 81.4 per cent of children who are eligible to get vaccinated have received at least one dose, while 69.7 per cent are fully vaccinated.
There is no word yet on when children under 12 will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and where to get a vaccination, visit the MLHU website here.