Albertans can soon start booking COVID-19 vaccine boosters for children aged five to 11, based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Alberta Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Bookings will open on Aug. 29, and booster doses will start being given on Aug. 31.
Health Canada approved the use of Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine for booster doses in children aged five to 11 on Aug. 19.
This is the first COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Canada as a booster dose in this age group. The national and Alberta expert committees support booster doses for this age group, with a strong recommendation for children with immune-compromising conditions.
It is recommended that the booster dose be offered at least five calendar months after completion of the primary series. Immune-compromised children are already eligible for a three-dose primary series, so their boosters will be fourth doses.
Booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for children aged five to 11
Pediatric booster vaccinations will be administered at Alberta Health Services clinics around the province. Vaccines will also be available at select pharmacies where AHS clinics are not conveniently located. Booster appointments must be booked through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System at alberta.ca/vaccine or by calling Health Link at 811. Some pharmacies can accommodate walk-ins.
Children five to 11 years of age who live in First Nations communities can access a booster dose through public health clinics or nursing stations.
Quick facts
- In this age group, vaccine effectiveness estimates of a primary series against symptomatic infection with the Omicron variant range from 30 to 50 percent. Vaccine effectiveness estimates against severe diseases, including hospitalization due to Omicron, range from 41 percent to 68 percent.
- Clinical trial findings show that a booster dose of Comirnaty was well tolerated in children five to 11 years of age and significantly increased the level of protective antibodies in those who received it. Side effects were typically mild or moderate and resolved within a few days.
- To date in Alberta:
- 51 percent of children aged five to 11 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Alberta.
- Alberta COVID-19 statistics can be found online.
