Booking opens for young kids’ vaccine

It appears many Nova Scotian parents are eager to get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19, including a New York Times reporter stuck on the tarmac in Amsterdam.

The online system was backed up Friday morning when appointments opened for the five to 11 age category.

Parents can book a Pfizerbiontech shot for their children online at the vaccine booking website or by phone at 1-833-797-7772.

"We are experiencing a high volume of traffic on the website at this time," a message on the website said at 10:30 a.m. when there was a seven-minute wait.

The backlog appeared to be cleared up by noontime. Some pharmacies were fully booked at that time but slots were available at many others.

The booking rush created some anxious moments for some parents.

"I find booking vaccination appointments more stressful than trying to get tickets through ticketmaster," a woman joked on Twitter.

Another Nova Scotian mother, who happens to be the New York Times' global health reporter, booked her child's appointment while stuck on a plane in Amsterdam.

Stephanie Nolen, who is a graduate of the King's journalism program in Halifax, and other passengers who departed from South Africa were held for hours on the tarmac after a new COVID19 variant was discovered in southern Africa.

In a decision made while her plane was still in the air, news of the variant prompted the Netherlands to block passengers on flights from southern Africa from disembarking. Eventually Nolen and other passengers were taken by bus to a long queue of other travellers in a building for testing.

"In better news, I did book my youngest kid a Covid vaccination appointment, from my plane seat, minutes after the latest round of the Hunger Games vax appointments opened in Nova Scotia.#nevernotamom," Nolen tweeted on Friday morning.

PLENTY OF VACCINE

At a news briefing Wednesday, Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, said the shots would be delivered mostly at pharmacies and also at a clinic at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

People are not to call pharmacies directly for an appointment. Strang said there is plenty of vaccine for all age categories.

Strang urged parents to get their children vaccinated.

While there can be minor side-effects, Health Canada and other agencies around the world have approved this vaccine safe and effective.

TWO DOSES AT LEAST EIGHT WEEKS APART

Children will need two doses of vaccine at least eight weeks apart and will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose, the release said.

Those who receive both doses before they turn 12 will receive two doses of the pediatric vaccine.

Children who receive their first dose of pediatric vaccine at age 11 and turn 12 before receiving their second dose will receive the adolescent/ adult vaccine for their second dose. Doses will still be provided at least eight weeks apart.

There is no change to the dosage or time between doses for people 12 and older. The authorized interval for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is 21 and 28 days, respectively. But the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends people schedule their primary series eight weeks apart for best protection.

Evidence has shown a longer interval results in longerlasting protection.

Unless directed by a healthcare provider, children won’t be able to get other routine vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Children will need to receive other vaccines 14 days before or after the COVID-19 vaccine.

If families have to choose between vaccinations, the COVID-19 vaccine should be the priority, the release said. Anyone 12 and older does not have to wait 14 days between vaccinations.

“While this virus tends to lead to mild illness in children most of the time, don’t take a chance with their health or the health of others around them. This virus spreads like wildfire in children and getting this age group vaccinated will really help to prevent spread in our province,” Strang said in Friday's news release.

In a tweet with advice on preparing younger children for COVID-19 shots, the Health Department said:

Make sure they know what will happen and make a plan

Talk with your children and listen to their questions

Help them work out ways to take their mind off the needle

Never say, "It won't hurt." Help them stay calm