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Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risk of your child getting COVID-19; if your child does become infected with COVID-19, being vaccinated can help make the symptoms milder. Children and youth are also at-risk of getting COVID-19 and passing it to others who may be at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill.

By getting your child vaccinated, you will help to prevent potential COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in our communities. It will also help keep our communities open so we can continue to work, go to school, and spend time with friends, family and loved ones.

If you have questions or concerns about whether to vaccinate your child, consider talking to your healthcare provider to have your questions answered.

Health Canada has one of the most rigorous scientific review systems in the world and only approves a vaccine if it is safe, works, and meets the highest manufacturing and quality standards.

Vaccines undergo a comprehensive review of their safety, quality and efficacy (how well they work) before they are approved and can be used in Canada. After approval, vaccines are continually monitored through a "vaccine safety surveillance" to ensure their safety.

If you have questions or concerns about vaccine safety for your child, talk to their health care provider.

Learn more about how vaccines are developed and approved.

As with most vaccines, common side effects have been reported during research trials.
Not everyone will experience side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine; most side effects tend to be minor and typically do not last for long.

Potential side effects include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Chills or fever

Serious side effects are rare. While COVID-19 vaccines are relatively new, serious side effects have been rare. The risk of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) is low in people who do not have an existing allergy to the vaccine's ingredients.

In order to keep people informed about vaccine safety, side effects are reported by Health Canada. To see reports of side effects following COVID-19 vaccinations, visit Health Canada's reporting website at health-infobase.canada.ca.

Talk to your child about vaccination.

• Be honest by telling your child about the vaccination appointment least a day in advance.
• Listen to your child, validate their concerns, and answer any of their questions in an age-appropriate way. Explain in simple terms what will happen during the appointment.
• Avoid giving false reassurances, such as "It won't hurt". When asked by your child if it will hurt, use words that reduce anxiety, such as "You may feel some pressure, a pinch or a quick poke for a few seconds". 
  

• Make sure to bring your child's Ontario health card or another piece of identification with you to the appointment; have it ready to show when you arrive at the vaccination clinic.
• Review the consent form prior to the vaccination appointment.
• Make sure your child wears a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up easily. It is also recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket for your child.
• Make sure your child eats before coming to the clinic. This will help prevent them from feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
• Do not give your child acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (i.e., Advil) before they receive the vaccine.
•  Where possible, it is recommended that only one parent accompany the child when they come to the clinic for their vaccination appointment.
• Please arrive at the vaccination clinic no earlier than 5 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

The optimal interval between the first and second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is eight weeks.

More data has become available that suggests that protection can be improved upon when the interval between the first and second doses are extended beyond the original manufacturer's recommended interval (e.g., 21 days between first and second dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine).

As per NACI, there is emerging safety data that suggest that a longer interval between dose one and two may reduce the risk of myocarditis/pericarditis after the second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

These intervals appear to provide optimal protection while simultaneously minimizing the time at risk of infection due to having protection from only one dose.

Individuals may choose to speak with their primary care provider about what interval is best for them considering the local transmission of COVID-19 and the degree of individual risk of exposure.

A second dose vaccine can be offered at shortened interval of four weeks if the individual receiving the vaccination provides informed consent. Parents or guardians who would like a shortened interval for a child must provide informed consent on behalf of their child to the vaccinator. Individuals who wish to receive a second dose at shortened interval are welcome to attend one of our walk-in clinics.
If you opt to receive a second dose at a shortened interval, please remember cancel your existing second dose appointment using the unique link provided to you in the confirmation email you received when booking your appointment.

Youth 5 to 17 years-of-age are eligible for a third dose at an interval of six months (168 days) after their second dose.

There are no specific safety concerns when routine vaccines are given at the same time or within days of each other. There could be stronger, temporary side effects when a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine are given at the same time or within days of each other. BCHU recommends that children receiving their COVID-19 vaccine follow the NACI guidance and :

• Not receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of a non-COVID-19 vaccine
  
• Not receive a non-COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of a COVID-19 vaccine
  

COVID-19 affects children differently than adults. There is a lower percentage of COVID related hospitalizations, ICU admissions, deaths, and severe complications/outcomes with children. But children with COVID-19 infection are at risk of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome). MIS-C is a rare but serious syndrome that can occur several weeks after a COVID-19 infection. Myocarditis and pericarditis can also occur as a complication of COVID-19 infection in children, but this is rare.

In Canada, there have been reported cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in people 12 years and over who received the 30mcg dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the 100mcg dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. It is important to note that the risk is rare.

Currently, the risk of myocarditis/pericarditis in children following immunization with the recommended 5–11-year-old 10mcg dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is unknown. Based on the studies done so far, myocarditis and/or pericarditis were not detected. Safety surveillance data from individuals aged 12 and older does not suggest the risk of myocarditis/pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination would be greater in children aged 5-11 years compared to older populations. Also, data from older age groups also suggests that an extended interval between the first and second dose (at least 8 weeks) may also be associated with a reduced risk of myocarditis/pericarditis following a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Children who have a history of myocarditis unrelated to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination should consult their health care provider for recommendations. Please seek medical attention if your child develops symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations following immunization with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) will continue to monitor and review the emerging evidence on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. They will update their recommendation, as well as its strength, as the evidence base evolves.

Talk to your primary health care provider if you have any further questions.

Your primary care provider is a reliable source of information that can help answer your questions about whether or not to vaccinate your child.

Max the Vax
Max the Vax is a child-friendly character who's working with a team of Canadian physicians, scientists, and health care providers to share trusted, evidence-based content about COVID-19 and vaccines. The campaign is supported by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and is helping children and caregivers to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of five and 11.

Below are some available resources for parents/guardians:

• Parent Homework
  
• Province of Ontario- COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet (age 12+) 
  
• Province of Ontario – COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
• Scarborough Health Network – VAX Facts (free 1-on-1 virtual consultation with experts)
• Sick Kids – Kids Health First (free 1-on-1 virtual consultation with experts)
• Sick Kids - COVID-19 Vaccination for Ages Under Five
  
• Sick Kids – Reduce the Pain of Vaccination in Kids and Teens
• Public Health Agency of Canada-  Nervous about getting needles? Use the CARD system to have a more positive vaccination experience
• University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy - COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines for Children
• Vaccine Information Sheet for Children (gov.on.ca)
• Paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions 
• Immunizations for Youth and School Vaccine Information - Parenting in Ottawa