Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccination program expanding to include a booster dose for children aged 5 to 11

HAMILTON, ON – In alignment with Ontario government direction, effective September 1, 2022 at 8 am, booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children aged five to 11 in Hamilton.

 Beginning tomorrow September 1, 2022, parents and caregivers of children aged five to 11 will be able to book an appointment for a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at Hamilton Public Health Services-led clinics through Hamilton’s online booking tool at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine. Children aged five to 11 can receive a booster dose approximately six months after their second dose. 

With local students returning to school next week, Hamilton Public Health Services will be reserving 1,700 appointments at its Mountain Vaccine Clinic at LimeRidge Mall and its mobile vaccine clinics between September 1 to 3 and 6 to 10, for children aged five to 11 to receive a booster dose at Hamilton Public Health Services led clinics. Community members are also encouraged to book an appointment with the Winterberry Family Medicine primary care led clinic or to check with local pharmacies that are offering booster doses for this age group.

Family-friendly COVID-19 vaccination

As part of Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccination program, children aged five to 11 can receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster in a clinic setting that is tailored to their family’s needs. Hamilton’s Public Health Services’ Mountain Vaccine Clinic at LimeRidge Mall continues to have a dedicated area for families who are attending with their children for a COVID-19 vaccination. 

Parents and caregivers will be able to find clinic locations for booster dose appointments and hours of operation as it becomes available starting September 1, 2022 at 8 am at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine. Appointments can be booked on Hamilton’s booking tool 14 days in advance, with new appointment dates being added daily.

Hamilton Public Health Services online vaccine booking system, accessed by visiting hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine, can accept bookings for eligible residents with an Ontario health card (green photo health card OR red and white) and an email address or cell phone number. Individuals without an Ontario health card, or without an email address or cell phone number can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848, option 7. Translation services are available by phone.

If parents and caregivers have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, Hamilton Public Health Services encourages them to speak with the health care provider who knows their family best – their family doctor or nurse practitioner. Parents and caregivers can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a phone appointment with a SickKids Registered Nurse: sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult, and access information and frequently asked questions at hamilton.ca/ChildVaccine. Providing information and resources tailored to a family’s needs will ensure community members can make an informed decision based on their and their loved ones’ personal circumstances. 

Individuals 5+ wishing to receive a first or second dose can access a COVID-19 vaccine on a walk-in basis. Those 12+ who are eligible for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are also able to walk-in at any Hamilton Public Health Services led clinic. Individuals 18+ who are eligible for a second booster dose (fourth dose) are required to book an appointment. 

Consistent with Hamilton Public Health Services’ approach to clinic operations throughout the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, to protect and respect the privacy of community members attending clinics, we request that media not be filming while the clinic is operating.

Quick Facts

• As of end of day August 29, 2022, 83.7 per cent of Hamiltonians have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 80.5 per cent have completed their primary series by receiving a second dose. 56 per cent of Hamiltonians 12+ have received a third dose and 17 per cent of those 18+ have received a fourth dose.
• 50.3 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received a first dose and 37.2 per cent have completed their primary vaccine series by receiving a second dose.
• On August 19, 2022, Health Canada approved the use of a Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for children aged five to 11 years and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) published its recommendations on the use of a first booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for this age group.
• It is recommended that children who have been infected with COVID-19 wait three months before receiving their booster dose. In certain circumstances, they may be able to receive a booster dose as early as eight weeks after infection.
• If children are receiving other routine pediatric vaccines, those vaccines can only be administered at least 14 days before or after the COVID-19 vaccine.
• All vaccination planning is based on and contingent on available COVID-19 vaccine supply and the necessary health and human resources.