As Canada readies to vaccinate kids aged 5-11, a look at immunization across the country – CBC

Do kids get vaccinated in school? What is ‘mature minor’ consent?

Nov 18, 2021

With Health Canada expected to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 — and as it continues to review Moderna’s pediatric version — parents of younger school-aged children must now decide whether they’ll be queuing up to get their kids these shots.

Here’s a quick refresher about vaccinations for children and school-related immunization.

Who’s responsible for childhood immunizations?
Parents and guardians are ultimately responsible for getting their children immunized. Who actually gives kids their regular shots, however, depends on region. In some areas, it might be a nurse, or specifically a public health nurse, while elsewhere it may be a pediatrician or family physician/general practitioner. In some cases, like for a flu shot, it could be a pharmacist.

Provinces and territories distribute and manage delivery of vaccines, which are approved and procured by the federal government.

Health officials across the country have already been planning how to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for the 5-11 age group, ranging from setting up specific pediatric vaccination clinics (some with therapy dogs), incorporating pediatricians and family physicians and enlisting pharmacies as well.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/covid-childhood-vaccination-schools-1.6252278