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HB NEWS COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS NOW OPEN TO KIDS MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com First-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments for kids aged five to 11 (or turn- ing five in 2021) can now be booked through Halton's system (one.hal- ton.ca/vab/s/). The vaccine is being of- fered at a recommended eight-week interval be- tween first and second dos- es. Appointments are now available at child-friendly pediatric clinics across the region andat the four exist- ing community clinics. Parents can also choose for COVID-19 Region of Peel photo throughout Halton. to take their children to a doctor's office or pharmacy that's signed up to partici- pate in the vaccination ef- fort. "The availability of a COVID-19 vaccinefor youn- ger children marks a major milestone in our response to COVID-19," said Halton Medical Officer of Health that the vaccine is very safe and highly effective in pre- venting COVID-19 among this age ge group. nated." e pediatric clinics are located at 180 Market Dr. in Milton, 3450 Harvester Rd. in Burlington and 240 Wye- croft Rd. in Oakville The location of the Halton weeks. Halton Public Health says appointments are de- pendent on pediatric vac- cinesupply and will beadd- ed to tl ii “As yo of health vand mother of a young child, I am very ex- cited for this moment and look forward to seeing our ‘Halton Heroes' roll up their sleeves and get vacci- a supply # is ¢ confirmed. doses will be available to book at a date closer to the recommended eight-week interval. To help children pre- pare for vaccination, Hal- ton Region has launch: its “Halton Heroes" cam- anxious about needles and give parents new tools to talk with their kids about COVID-19 and vaccines. For further details, visit halton.ca/COVIDvac- cines4kids. GA LOCAL NEWS. a EXPANDED ACCESS FOR THIRD DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINE COMING HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com The Ontario govern- ment anticipates moving up the timetable to make third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available to more ople. The eligibility for ex- panding access for more groups was anticipated to take place in the new year, but Ontario's chief medical officer of health said that ing a decision on improv- ingaccess for third dosesin the coming weeks," Dr. Kie- ran Moore said at a brief- ing Nov. 25. Those currently eligible for third doses include: + anyone over the age of + health-care workers and designated essential- care workers in congregate settings people who received two doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine + First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and non-In- iigenous members of their household Moore said the booster shots have been very effec- tive in limiting outbreaks in long-term care and re- tirement homes. ‘We're seei. [core Sait ined with third doses and Lig Tecent roll out of COVID- cines for children ages five to 11, there is currently a greater demand on the sys- tem, so the province will strive to ensure it is ane to handle an expanded cri ria for boosters alone making the announce- e] "They are also deliver- ing influenza vaccines, 3 so there is a fair bit of sure and fair demand 0 on the system at present," he said. "We will review the science, the capacity of the system and our number one priority now are those groups currently eligible for third doses and chil ther eet access prapidiy and quickly." With COVID-19 cases numbers rising in Ontario, Moore was asked about making rapid test kits available to students before will help curb the spread of the: virus in schools. ccine is very powerful at preventing in- YouTube screen capture Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, provides an update at his weekly briefing at Queen's fection, around 90.7 per the spread in the home set- ting to vulnerable mem- bers of your family, in the school setting or the social setting. I do hope all par- ents oe getting their child vac Moore salt tests could be provided earlier "in any region that is experiencing increasing activity pased on rising risk and an in- creasing number of cases” Ontario's chief medical officer of health also said there are no plans to in- clude children under ihe age 12 in the require! to be fully vaccinated i in ae der to go to restaurants or other public places where restrictions are in place. 3 Months Free Book a tour and see what a wonderful life in retirement can be! Reserve before Dec. 31, 2021 Move in dates up to March 31, 2022 MILTON 905-636-6300 Call to book a tour and learn more about terms and conditions GIDDENS OPTOMETRY DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN 83 Mill St | 905 873 1867 ‘We are open but due to the current vas situation we are seeit tients by appointment only. If you ee planning a visit (for routine eye examinations, and repair, contact lens pick up etc), please contact us in advance ar will arrange an appointment time for you. 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