Last updated: March 6, 2023
The Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent booster vaccine is available for children aged 5 years and older. Everyone ages 6 months and over can get the COVID-19 and other vaccines at the same time. More vaccination opportunities are also available across the City.
It is important for everyone to stay up to date with their vaccinations as this is the best protection from getting very sick. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends everyone 5 years of age and older get a booster on or after September 1, 2022, when eligible.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect our families, communities and ourselves against COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from these viruses.
Children and youth should talk about the benefits and risks of getting the vaccine with a parent or trusted adult. Parents or legal guardians of younger children will usually have to provide consent on behalf of the child before or at the time of the appointment. For a youth to provide their own consent they must understand information about the vaccine, why it is being recommended and what will happen if they accept or refuse vaccination.
Routine childhood vaccination is still important during COVID-19. Vaccines should only be postponed if your child has COVID-19 symptoms. Learn more about routine immunizations for children.
NACI recommends a complete primary series of mRNA monovalent (original) COVID-19 vaccines for anyone who is 6 months of age and older. This is typically a 2 or 3 dose series with a mRNA vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is recommended.
Children and youth who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a three dose primary series.
Health Canada has approved the following messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines as a primary series for children and youth:
Health Canada has also approved Novavax a protein subunit vaccine to youth aged 12 and older who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
To further improve protection and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, NACI and the Ministry of Ontario has recommended 8 weeks as the optimal interval between doses in the primary series. Children should receive the same product for all their primary series doses, whether it is Pfizer or Moderna.
Children who are turning:
As an added safety measure, children who experience myocarditis/pericarditis after receiving their first dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine are recommended to delay their second dose until more information is available.
NACI, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health continue to follow this closely and will update this recommendation as more evidence becomes available.
Children and youth aged 5 and older are considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines when they complete their primary series and receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine (original or bivalent) on or after September 1st, 2022 or later. It is recommended that everyone 5 and older get a booster dose 6 months after a last vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection.
As of March 3, 2023, NACI recommends an additional COVID-19 booster in the spring of 2023 for people who are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The Ministry of Health will provide further eligibility details soon.
A bivalent Omicron-targeting vaccine is preferred as a booster dose. Bivalent means that the vaccine contains two strains of COVID-19 – the original strain and Omicron. A bivalent booster gives better protection against the highly contagious Omicron variant. Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine is preferred and recommended for children aged 5 to 17. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines provide good protection against hospitalization and severe illness within the 3 to 6 months following vaccination.
Health Canada has approved the following messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines as a booster dose for children and youth:
With informed consent, children ages 6 to 17 years old who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, may be offered the Moderna Spikevax bivalent vaccine while supply in Ontario is available.
According to NACI, it is not expected that a booster dose be routinely given every three months.
Learn more about booster doses.
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect children and the people around them from COVID-19 related illness, hospitalization and death.
Vaccinating children helps:
The more children who are vaccinated, the safer school, sports or other activities will be. It will reduce the risk of outbreaks, and prevent closures or disruptions in school and activities. In this way, vaccines help kids get back to ‘normal’, which helps to protect and promote their mental health and wellbeing.
It is still recommended for a child or youth to complete their vaccination series and booster, if eligible, even after a COVID-19 infection. Immunity from an infection may not last and you can get COVID-19 again. For recommendations on when to get a COVID-19 vaccine, see Previous COVID-19 Infection.
If the child or youth is a close contact of someone with COVID-19 infection, they can get vaccinated as long as self-isolation (if required) is complete, they are free of symptoms or their symptoms have resolved.
Vaccination clinics are available for children and their families at:
Children and youth without OHIP cards, may get vaccinated at any COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Toronto. For details, see residents without OHIP Cards.
Children and youth may be vaccinated at a local pharmacy. Most pharmacies book appointments ahead of time and some allow walk-ins.
Check with the pharmacy before you go to confirm:
Visit the provincial website for more information and locations.
In total, there are more than 162 health teams, physicians and paediatricians providing COVID-19 vaccinations in their clinic. Doctors will contact their patients directly if they are participating and will direct you on how to book your appointment.
SickKids can help coordinate their COVID-19 vaccination appointment and offer specialized services with the availability of Child Life Specialists and paediatric vaccinators.
Visit sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult to make a booking to speak with a Registered Nurse. If you need assistance booking an appointment, please call 437-881-3505 or toll free at 1-888-304-6558
Children living with medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial needs/conditions that prevent them from visiting a local clinic, pharmacy, or their care provider may get the COVID-19 vaccination in their home.
First, contact your child’s physician or homecare service to see if they offer home vaccination. If they do not, they will complete the Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Referral Template form and send it to Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS). TPS will call you and confirm your eligibility and, if confirmed, schedule a date and time for a Community Paramedic to visit and complete the child’s in-home vaccination.
If you have questions after speaking with your child’s physician, you may contact TPS by:
Learn more at eligibility for homebound vaccinations.
COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 years old and over may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after other vaccines (including the flu vaccine). Speak with a health care provider if you have any questions.
There is no evidence the COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility, long-term menstrual irregularities, puberty, or normal growth and development.
Common COVID-19 side effects in children and youth are similar to those seen in adults. Side effects are usually mild and go away within one to three days. They include:
Very rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis (heart inflammation) have been reported after getting the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in youth and young adults. It is important to know that if it occurs, it gets better on its own within a few days, and there is a greater risk of myocarditis or pericarditis from a COVID-19 infection compared to the COVID-19 vaccine (CDC, September 2021).
The vaccine continues to be safe. The risk of myocarditis or pericarditis in children following vaccination is rare.
More information on myocarditis and pericarditis:
It is important to share information in an age-appropriate way with your child about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. See How to Talk to Kids about Getting Vaccinated (French) to guide your conversation.
For more information:
The following resources may be helpful to answer questions you or your child has about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Resources for youth:
Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for youth (also available in French)
Download posters and graphics about vaccine-related information for children here. You can also find resources related to vaccines for the general public as well as face masks, physical distancing, washing your hands, and more.
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Download the 8.5″ x 11″ poster for Let’s get TO Kids Vaccinated – Get the COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds. |
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Download the 8.5″ x 11″ poster for Let’s get TO Kids Vaccinated – COVID-19 vaccine now available for ages 5-11. |
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Download the 11″ x 8.5″ poster for Let’s get TO Kids Vaccinated – COVID-19 vaccine now available for ages 5-11. |
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Download the 11″ x 8.5″ poster for Let’s get TO Kids Vaccinated – COVID-19 vaccine now available for ages 5-11. |
Routine immunization for children and youth is still important during COVID-19. Vaccine preventable diseases are still spreading globally. Waiting to vaccinate can leave children vulnerable to diseases. Vaccines should only be postponed if your child is sick with respiratory symptoms to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19.
Immunization is not just for kids. The vaccines you need may depend on your age, health condition, occupation, travel habits, environment, and lifestyle. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to be vaccinated during COVID19 and how to safely attend a clinic.