News Release
October 20, 2021

Team Toronto continues to prepare for the vaccination of five to 11 year-old children in Toronto as soon as the vaccines are approved for use by Health Canada, and guidance is received by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Province of Ontario. Partners from across the City have come together to develop a multi-pronged strategy to reach the more than 200,000 Toronto children, along with education and engagement opportunities with their parents and guardians in the coming weeks.

Clinics will be offered to reach every Toronto child in every corner of the City. Clinic locations being considered include the five City-run mass immunization clinics, school-based clinics, and community-based clinics. These opportunities will augment the delivery of vaccines offered by family physicians and through the more than 800 pharmacies in Toronto offering COVID-19 vaccines by November 1st.

Toronto Public Health is launching a dedicated five to 11 year old toolkit for parents, guardians and caregivers to support the vaccination of this population. The toolkit addresses:

  • the importance for household members, who are eligible, to be vaccinated as soon as possible to help protect those who are not eligible for the vaccine yet
  • associated risks of COVID-19 infection and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination
  • vaccine safety and potential side effects
  • how to talk to children about vaccination, including questions around reproductive health

Alongside clinics, a series of education and outreach initiatives are being organized for kids and their parents and caregivers. Telephone Town Halls, community events, and parent sessions will be offered as part of a comprehensive education and outreach campaign. Further resources for parents will be added and resources specific for family physicians including a summary of the latest available research relating to COVID-19 vaccination and children will also be provided in the coming days online.

Team Toronto partners developing and implementing the five to 11 year-old COVID-19 vaccine strategy include representatives from:

  • The City of Toronto
  • The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
  • Humber River Hospital
  • Michael Garron Hospital
  • Rexall Pharmacies
  • Scarborough Health Network
  • Toronto District School Board
  • Toronto Public Health
  • Unity Health Toronto
  • University Health Network
  • Women’s College Hospital

Quotes:

”We are doing everything we can as a city to be ready for when the vaccine for five to 11 year-old children is approved by Health Canada. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have already helped protect millions of teens and adults across our city. Helping young children get vaccinated as quickly as possible will make sure they have the best protection possible against COVID-19 and help keep our schools safe and open to in-class learning.”

– Mayor John Tory

“COVID-19 vaccines play an important role in reducing virus spread in our city and protecting our community. Helping young children get vaccinated will make sure they have the best protection against COVID-19, and help keep our schools safe and open for in-person learning. My team at Toronto Public Health is working hard with our partners to prepare to vaccinate children between the ages of 5 and 11 as soon as vaccines are approved for this age group.”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health

“The fact that we are getting closer to a federally-approved safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11 year-olds is very good news. The sooner vaccines are approved and supply is provided, the sooner we can start rolling out vaccines to Toronto’s kids. Since September, Team Toronto’s 5 to 11 Year-Old Vaccine Working Group has been working non-stop to prepare for the next phase of our immunization campaign. In partnership with hospitals, school boards, and community partners we’re planning for a targeted, multi-pronged vaccine clinic model, an extensive outreach program, and a comprehensive education campaign to reach parents and kids alike. Team Toronto will not stop – in fact, our work will only keep scaling up – to ensure every resident of our city can access the vaccines they need.”

– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media Relations