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Health Unit provides update on second doses for youth 12-17
On June 28, the province of Ontario announced that youth 12-17 who live in hotspots are now eligible to receive their second dose of Pfizer at or after 28 days. The Province is expected to expand second dose eligibility to youth in non-hotspot communities (including Haldimand and Norfolk), however, no set timeline has been announced.
The HNHU will not be administering second doses for anyone 12-17 years old unless they are eligible locally because they are an Indigenous person or have a high-risk health condition that was deemed eligible for the monograph interval between doses.
The local Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Alex Hukowich, made the decision in an effort to reserve the limited amount of Pfizer available locally for first doses for youth and second doses for adults 18+.
“The HNHU will not be administering second doses of COVID-19 vaccine to youth 12-17 years old until the youth locally are also eligible,” said Dr. Hukowich. “Prioritizing first doses for youth and reaching a higher level of local herd immunity continues to be our priority.”
Youth who arrive at a clinic for a second dose, with or without an appointment, will be sent away if they are not eligible based on their Indigenous status or their health status.
Until the province expands eligibility, youth should expect to complete their vaccination series with Pfizer vaccine in August, during the youth blitz weeks set by the province.
To date, the Health Unit has administered over 93,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Over 71% of the adult population in Haldimand and Norfolk has now received at least their first dose.