Starting Wednesday, families with children between five and 11 will be able to get their child vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster dose at clinics in London.
Officials with the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) announced Tuesday afternoon that it has received a supply of the paediatric bivalent booster vaccine and they will be available at the mass vaccination clinic at the Western Fair District and mobile clinics in the area on December 21.
Local health officials are encouraging the community to keep up to date with their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as we enter the holiday season.
"Vaccination continues to be the best defence against severe illness and hospitalization," said Jody Paget, the MLHU's associate manager of vaccine preventable disease. "We must continue to use those familiar tools available to us to protect ourselves and those around us, including masking in public indoor environments, washing your hands often, and staying home if you are unwell."
Last week, the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty Omicron BA.4/BA.5 bivalent-adapted booster for the majority of school-aged children.
The recommended interval at which a bivalent booster dose can be administered is six months after their last COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have not received a primary or second dose of a monovalent Moderna Spikevax or Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine must complete their primary vaccine series before they can receive a bivalent booster dose.
Individuals six months and older may receive a COVID-19 vaccine before, at the same time, or after non-COVID-19 vaccines, including the influenza vaccine.
More details about vaccination clinics in the region, including holiday hours and dates can be found on the health unit's website.
