Manitoba Health (MH) and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) are moving to vaccinate children from six months to five-year-olds with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine..“I know this day is a day that many parents have been waiting for quite some time," said Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.."Many will feel that sense of relief that their child is now eligible.” .“This vaccine has a very safe profile and is effective.”.“While extending the protection of vaccination to the youngest in our province, please take this opportunity to ensure that all other family members are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses,” said Saskatchewan Minister of Health Paul Merriman..Not everyone agrees with Merriman and Roussin..Phillip Zajac, Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan leader, is against any COVID-19 vaccine being given without informed consent including to children.."The Buffalo Party does not feel that vaccines should be mandated for anyone," said Zajac.."The fact that children except under unusual circumstances simply do not die from COVID is disturbing when governments that are endorsing a shot that does not stop the spread of COVID at all."."Again as parents making decisions that they feel are in the best interest of their kids it is ultimately their choice. I think that the level of informed consent to parents of the content of the shot and risk associated with them must be in black and white so that they can make an educated decision. This never happens and should never proceed without the utmost review to protect our children.".Both provinces will begin with children who are “moderately to severely immunocompromised.”.This requirement means a child needs to have certain medical conditions:.chronic lung diseaseairway abnormalitiescongenital or chronic heart or circulatory diseasesmoderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition or treatmentneurologic disorders (including developmental delay)diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or any chronic disease related to premature birthindigenous regardless of where they live.“We’ve seen severe [COVID-19] outcomes … in children that didn’t even have significant health issues, so it certainly does occur,” said Roussin..“We’re certainly recommending [vaccination] … especially in this cohort right now, which represents the higher-risk children.” .In the first shipment of the children’s vaccine, Manitoba is receiving 14,900 doses and Saskatchewan 13,000..“While we will have enough vaccine for all children in the near future, our initial delivery is limited to 14,900 doses,” said Roussin..“We are working to provide as many opportunities as possible for parents to get their children immunized against COVID-19,” said Sheila Anderson, SHA executive director of Primary Health Care..When Manitoba and Saskatchewan run out of their first shipment, the vaccine delivery will be paused..Saskatchewan starts booking appointments 8:45 am Thursday for eligible immunocompromised children. Call 1-833-SASK-VAX (1-833-727-5829)..Manitoba starts booking appointments 8 am Monday, July 25 for immunocompromised children. Call 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222). .“We hope the added convenience encourages all parents who wish to have their children vaccinated, to do so as soon as they can,” said Sheila Anderson..The Moderna child vaccine is a quarter dose of the adult vaccine and the recommended time period between doses is eight weeks..Both provinces recommend children not have any other vaccinations within two weeks on either side of their COVID-19 vaccine shots so adverse reactions can be tracked. .However, children who received a different vaccine within the two weeks will not be turned away. .MH and SHA recommend adults get their third or fourth shot as well..“The third and fourth doses matter. They will afford protection against serious COVID-19 outcomes, even with the latest variants of concern,” said Merriman.
