‘Policy black hole’ delays 2nd vaccine dose for 4-year-olds – CBC

Change in vaccine eligibility leaves almost 300 children waiting until they turn 5

Jan 21, 2022

Ottawa parents are being told their children born in 2017 who aren’t yet five years old, but were able to get a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this month, will potentially wait several months for a second dose instead of the recommended eight weeks.

Children who turned five in 2021 were able to get their first dose before their birthday, but a change in policy this year means children will have to wait until their fifth birthday to get their first dose.

The same policy is now in place for 17-year-olds who want to book appointments for their booster dose. They have to turn 18 first.

Unfortunately for some eager families, the change in policy was not communicated to local public health units and the change was not made in Ontario’s vaccine booking system.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ontario-vaccine-policy-change-problems-1.6321756