Did your young child get a flu shot recently? Their COVID-19 vaccine may have to wait – CBC

Some parents who were unaware now have to rebook appointments

Nov 26, 2021

Parents looking to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 might be surprised to learn those aged five to 11 will need to wait if they’ve received a flu shot in the last two weeks.

It’s a detail that’s been quietly added to the federal government’s information page on vaccinating children and the Ottawa Public Health website.

According to the federal government’s site, “if possible, children shouldn’t receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine within 14 days of other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.”

It’s a precaution to monitor for any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, the government said. The same precaution does not apply to those aged 12 to 17.

Ontario’s Ministry of Health is taking its guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, said spokesperson Bill Campbell in a statement to CBC.

“Individuals who wish to receive two different vaccines within the 14-day interval may do so with informed consent,” Campbell wrote.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ontario-covid-19-vaccine-flu-shots-two-week-wait-1.6262558