B.C. kids aged 5 to 11 can now get vaccinated. Here’s what you need to know

The first group of 5- to 11-year-children in B.C. can now be immunized against COVID-19. B.C. is the last province to start administering vaccines to kids because of distribution challenges linked to the recent flooding and distances to various corners of the province. Here is what you need to know if you want to get your child vaccinated or if haven’t yet made up your mind. How many kids are eligible to get the shot? Approximately 350,000 children aged five to 11 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, with the youngest kids being eligible on or after their fifth birthday. Is the pediatric vaccine different than the one for those 12 and older? The pediatric vaccine is a smaller dose. During dosing studies, vaccine manufacturer Pfizer compared the adult dose, which is 30 micrograms, to various smaller doses. It concluded that one-third of an adult dose, or 10 micrograms, gave just as strong an immune response in younger children as the adult formulation.

Who approved the vaccine for children?

Health Canada reviewed the research provided by Pfizer.

The independent regulator’s responsibility was to review safety data on how well the vaccine works in children that age and to review the manufacturing data. “This rigorous and independent review really can give us confidence that, as it’s approved by Health Canada, it is safe for use, and we can trust that in our children,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a news conference last week. Public health officials have said kids are less likely to get severely ill from COVID.

So why should they get vaccinated? Henry said it’s important for a variety of reasons, such as allowing children and their families to get over some of the more severe pandemic disruptions, especially as the fourth wave paired with the Delta variant continue.

Although B.C. has recorded few cases of hospitalization among children, kids in this age group now make up 20 per cent of current cases.

The vaccine also reduces the risk of transmission to children’s close contacts, particularly people who are older or who are at risk of more severe illness.

Where can I learn more about how the vaccine is safe for kids?

The province has provided various online links to several experts speaking about the vaccine’s safety. BC Children’s Hospital has provided this information sheet.

Have there been any adverse events for B.C. children aged 12 to 17 who got the vaccine?

Officials have said 133 adverse events have been recorded following immunization of children in that age group. Most of them have been mild, such as fever, a headache that lasts for several days, or a rash and swelling at the site of the injection.