Last updated: May 2, 2022 at 1:10 p.m.
Youth aged 12 to 17 are now eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, at least 168 days (six months) after their primary series. Find out more about vaccine eligibility and where to get vaccinated.
Health Canada has approved the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth ages 5 to 17. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends a complete primary series of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who is 5 years of age and older. Children must be 5 years of age at the time of vaccination.
Health Canada has approved the following doses of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for children and youth:
Children and youth who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a three dose primary series.
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.
At this time, there is no authorized COVID-19 vaccine for children 4 years of age and younger.
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.
Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect children and people around them from COVID-19 related illness, hospitalization and death.
Vaccinating children helps:
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine helps children participate at school, sports and other activities. Some organizations may require proof of vaccination from those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to participate in activities.
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 your 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, and 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.
There are more than 525 participating pharmacies in the City of Toronto offering COVID-19 vaccination for children. Most pharmacies book appointments ahead of time and some allow walk-ins.
Please call or visit the pharmacy’s website to review eligibility criteria and check if you need an appointment or if walk-in (first come, first served) vaccinations are available.
You must bring a valid Ontario health (OHIP) card or other form of valid government-issued identification with you to the appointment.
Find a pharmacy in your neighbourhood.
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.
For children ages 5-17, SickKids can help coordinate their COVID-19 vaccination appointment and offer specialized services including drive-through vaccination and 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 between five (5) and 18 years old 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 Toronto Paramedic Services by:
Learn more at eligibility for homebound vaccinations.
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 there is a greater risk of myocarditis or pericarditis if someone gets COVID-19 compared to getting the COVID-19 vaccine (CDC, September 2021).
At least one dose of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine has been given to over 8 million children in the USA. 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.
Fear of needles is common. Here are some tips to improve your child’s experience when getting a vaccine:
For more information:
Second dose appointments can be booked after receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
It is strongly recommended that everyone (five years of age and older) get two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is recommended that children aged 5 to 11 years old get their second dose eight weeks after receiving their first dose. An eight week interval will allow children to develop a strong and robust immune response to the second dose, which will last longer. It takes two weeks (14 days) after vaccination for full protection. A booster dose may be recommended in the future.
Children who received a pediatric dose of vaccine for their first dose and who turn 12 years old before getting the second dose may receive the youth/adult dose for the second dose. If the second dose given is the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, this is considered valid. A child will be considered up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines when they receive two doses of the vaccine.
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.
Youth aged 12 to 17 years old are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose at least 168 days (6 months) after completing their primary series. Youth will receive a full dose of the Pfizer vaccine for their booster dose. Moderna is available as a booster, with informed consent.
It is strongly recommended that everyone 12 and older get their booster dose when eligible. Youth will be considered up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines when they receive their primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine and their booster dose.
Those who have been infected with COVID-19 after completing the primary vaccine series, but before the booster dose, are recommended to receive their booster dose 3 months after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
Learn more about booster doses.
The following resources may be helpful to answer questions you or your child has about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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 infants and toddlers 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.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines and their availability in Toronto, please visit our COVID-19 vaccines page.