Toronto unveils youth COVID vaccination plan

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While Health Canada approval for administering COVID-19 vaccines to children is still most likely weeks away, Toronto unveiled its plan to inoculate as many as 200,000 children aged 5 to 11 against the respiratory virus.

Mayor John Tory said the plan involves making sure kids understand the importance of getting the shot — while making it both a fun and positive experience.

“We want them to feel like they’re superheroes in getting vaccinated, because they are,” Tory told media on Wednesday.

The city’s plan is based around a number of large fixed-site clinics operating alongside the five city-run vaccine centres, along with mobile clinics based in schools, hospitals and the community, as well as partnerships with city pharmacies and pediatric clinics.

Efforts will initially concentrate on 30 Toronto neighbourhoods identified as high-need, including areas of low income, high levels of racialization and/or high-concentration housing.

Education on vaccines, said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, is vital to ensure parents have enough correct information to make informed decisions.

“The available science confirms that vaccinating our children will protect them, their families and our community against the virus,” she said.

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Initial target neighborhoods for Toronto’s youth COVID-19 vaccination program

• Bendale
• Black Creek
• Brookhaven-Amesbury
• Clairlea-Birchmount
• Dorset Park
• Downsview-Roding-CFB
• Eglinton East
• Elms-Old Rexdale
• Englemount-Lawrence Flemingdon Park
• Glenfield-Jane Heights
• Humbermede
• Islington-City Centre West
• Kingsview Village-The Westway
• L’Amoreaux
• Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown
• Malvern
• Morningside
• Mount Dennis
• Oakridge
• Parkwoods-Donalda
• Rouge
• Scarborough Village
• Thorncliffe Park
• West Hill
• West Humber-Clairville
• Weston
• Wexford/Maryvale
• Woburn
• York University Heights

(Source: City of Toronto)