Teenagers in Ontario may soon be eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Health Minister Christine Elliott announced Wednesday that the province is developing plans to offer vaccination to children aged 12-17 in June. But the minister said the shots will not be mandatory for teens.
“Ontario continues to ramp up our vaccine rollout, and we remain focused on administering doses to those who are most at risk,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “With an increased supply of vaccines, we continue to make it easier than ever to receive a vaccine in hotspot areas to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our hospital capacity.”
The provincial government also announced Wednesday that over 50 per cent of adults in Ontario have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and the government anticipates over 65 per cent will have received one by the end of the month.
Some high-risk health care workers will also soon be able to book an appointment for the second dose of their vaccine through the provincial booking system. The workers included in that category were recently expanded. A full list can be found here.
Minister Elliott said they are still waiting for further direction on second doses for individuals who received the AstraZeneca vaccine from the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations.
“We know that the second doses aren’t coming up until the end of June so we certainly have time to consider all of this data and await the results and recommendations of both NACI, Health Canada and of course our Chief Medical Officer of Health,” said Elliott.
The province is expected to receive just over 250,000 Astra Zeneca doses next week, which will likely be used for second doses for people who have received an initial dose of the vaccine. But Elliott said plans for the doses are still in the works.
“As far as the doses that will be available during the week of the 17th, that is something that no final determination has been made as to whether they will be received in Ontario,” said Elliott.