How to book a COVID-19 vaccine for your child in Ottawa

After months upon months of uncertainty, Ottawa parents with children between the ages of five and 11can sign up their childrenfor their first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Here are some of the ways that can be done.

The provincial booking system

Parents can book appointments through the province's vaccine portal for children in the five-to-11 age group.

The appointments will take place at one of the seven community clinics run by Ottawa Public Health (OPH).

OPH said Monday it expects to get shipments of vaccine doses this week with more than 60,000 appointments available as of this Friday.

At neighbourhood hubs

In addition to the community clinics, OPH also operates 10 neighbourhood hubs across the citywhere children will soon be able to be immunized.

• Thousands of vaccine doses on the way for Ottawa children, OPH says
• 1st COVID-19 dose could be available to children by Friday, OPH says

Walk-ins will be accepted at the community hubs, the health unit says.

At local schools

On Dec. 2, OPH will begin holding after-hours pop-up vaccination clinics at local schools, rotating through 73 different locations in the city over the course of four weeks.

The details and clinic schedules are expected to be posted on the OPHwebsite later this week. As with the neighbourhood hubs, walk-ins will be allowed.

Pharmacies and physicians

According to OPH, more than 100 pharmacies in the city have signed up to immunize children between the ages of five and 11.

Parents can search for a participating pharmacy here.

OPH also says primary care physicians may also decide to offerthe vaccine at their clinics. Those who choose to do so willreach out directly to their patients, the health unit said.

Other options

CHEO, eastern Ontario's children's hospital in Ottawa, will offer vaccines to young children with medically complex needs.

For First Nations, Mtis and Inuit parents, the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health will partnerwith OPH to run a clinic at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre.

Inuitparents can also call the Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999 to book an appointment or for additional information.

OPH's mobile teams will work with operators of congregate-care facilities to administerCOVID-19 vaccines at those locations.

The health unit also has a series of tips on how to make vaccine appointments for young children go as smooth as possible, including bringing a toy with you or giving kids a snack beforehand.