COVID-19 Immunizations for Ages 6 Months to 11 Years
As approved by Health Canada on Friday, November 19, 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine became available for administration in Saskatchewan to children aged 5 to 11 starting on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
With Health Canada's approval of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for children six months up to five years, vaccination clinics are underway in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan will be receiving a limited supply of approximately 13,000 doses of the vaccine in its first delivery. Note that clinic availability is dependent on a limited number of doses available. It is likely that the SHA will fully administer these 13,000 doses before the next vaccine delivery arrives in August.
We suggest bookmarking this page and checking back regularly as we add additional materials and resources.
Where to Receive COVID-19 Immunization for Ages 6 Months to 11 Years
There are options for parents or caregivers to have their child immunized at:
Please note that a parent/guardian must provide consent for children aged 6 months to 11 years to be vaccinated. Consent forms will be available at the clinics, but can be filled out in advance as well.
School-Based Immunization Clinics
The SHA continues to engage with school divisions throughout the province to implement clinics at or near schools – as immunization clinics are finalized details on school-based clinics will be provided directly to families through their schools.
Strategies for Parents & Caregivers
Being immunized can be nerve-wracking for both children and their caregivers. Below you will find some strategies and resources to help best prepare for and receive immunization.
Consider the following when planning your child’s immunization:
- Preparation
Your child likely has many questions about immunization, and you may as well. You can find lots of information on the Government of Saskatchewan website, or in one of the other resources listed below.- Be honest with your child and share information with simple, neutral language about why immunization is important and what to expect
- Be encouraging, confident and calm so that your child can learn to feel the same way about immunizations
- Avoid using pain descriptors such as pinch or sting, or saying, "It will be over soon," or "It will be OK," as these may increase anxiety
- Make a Coping & Distraction Plan
You know best what can comfort and distract your child, so plan to use those techniques during the immunization appointments. Be sure to bring along comfort items such as a stuffed animal or blanket, consider bringing a distraction such a mobile device with their favourite song or video. You can find additional distraction ideas on the Distractions Techniques poster below. - Use Positions of Comfort
Reduce stress and help keep your child still during immunization by finding the most comfortable position to receive the vaccine. - Consider Using Numbing Cream
Numbing cream is available over-the-counter at many pharmacies. This topical cream helps to reduce sensation in the upper layers of skin to help reduce pain/discomfort from the immunization needle. Most creams need at least 20-60 minutes to reduce sensation, so plan accordingly for your immunization appointment. Please note that SHA clinics do NOT have numbing cream and immunizers cannot apply it , it is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to obtain and apply the product.
Resources
Other Online Resources
Vaccine Information & Safety
- This Is Our Shot: Excellent resource for accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines.
- COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Lots of great information on the vaccines from the Canadian Paediatric Society
- Vaccines & Immunization: From Public Health Canada
- How to talk to your children about COVID-19 vaccines: a simple guide from UNICEF
- Should I get my child vaccinated?: Short video from First Nations Health Authority featuring Dr. Danièle Behn Smith
Parent Resources
- Kids In Pain: Resources for pain and fear management in children, with lots of great tools for caregivers and kids.
- Max the Vax: Youth-focused resources about COVID-19 vaccines.
- All About Me Activity Booklet: To give your child an extra distraction to help cope with the fear that comes with vaccination.
- Needles Don't Have to Hurt: Poster with lots of great tips from a number of healthcare agencies in Canada.
- "Can You Find" Distraction Pages: Activity pages to keep your child distracted during immunization, from IWK Health.
- Mom Hack: When Kids Are Afraid of Needles: short video made by moms for moms with lots of great tips.
- Jesse the Bear: Story about a young bear a bit nervous about getting vaccinated, from the BC Centre for Disease Control