COVID-19 youth vaccination FAQ

Yes, youth aged 12 years old and up can be vaccinated against COVID-19 in all communities starting on June 2nd with the Pfizer vaccine. 

• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by Health Canada for children ages 12 and up on May 5, 2021. 

• Changes were made to the Quebec Immunization Protocol on May 19 – stating that the Pfizer-BioNTech is now authorized for children ages 12 and up. 

• Youth must be 12 years old by the time of their vaccination.

• The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is approved in Canada for adults over the age of 18. It is still not approved for use in 12-17-year-olds as clinical trials are ongoing. 

• We are expecting the vaccines for 5-11 years old to be available in November

• Vaccines for under 5 years old will be made available after – most likely in year 2022

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved only from the age of 12 years old.

• You will be able to come back on or after your 12^th birthday.
• Don’t worry, we will continue to keep COVID-19 vaccines available so that youth who turn 12 later this year will still be able to access vaccines when they do.

• The MSSS opened vaccination for youth 12 years old to 17 years old on May 28.
• Youth vaccination in all Eeyou Istchee communities started on June 2. 
• On July 9, the MSSS recommended to offer 2^nd doses to all youth. The new recommended interval is now 4 weeks (28 days)

The mobile unit is a vehicle that offers COVID-19 vaccination. It began touring each community on June 7. 

• A white Suburban stopped at different locations in the communities with a tent and some table and chairs and all the equipment needed to vaccinate.  

• A nurse on-site was available to help people decide on the spot if they would prefer to take it or think about it first.  

• Youths 14 years old and up can give their own consent for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Youths 12 - 13 years old need the consent of a parent or legal guardian to be vaccinated. The nurse will give you a form your parents need to sign. Once you bring it back to the nurse, she will be able to vaccinate you. If your parents are with you, they can give their consent verbally.   

• If the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available when it is time for you to receive your second dose, you will receive a second dose of the same vaccine. 

• If the Pfizer-BioNTech is not available and you have reached the recommended interval between the two doses, you will receive the Moderna as a second dose. 

Only a severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to one of the components of the vaccine could prevent you from getting the Pfizer vaccine, such as an allergy to polyethyleneglycol. 

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine contains the following ingredients: 

• messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) 

• lipids: ALC-0315 = ((4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl) bis (hexane-6,1-diyl) bis (2-hexyldecanoate), ALC-0159 = 2 - [(polyethylene glycol) -2000] -N, N -ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and cholesterol; 

• potassium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate and sucrose; 

• the diluent consisting of sterile water and sodium chloride. 

If you have an allergy to polyethyleneglycol, you would be referred to an allergist. A youth that has any history of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) to any vaccine or any injectable medication would be reviewed by the Public Health team to make sure that it is safe for them to receive the vaccine

When we vaccinate our children, we are protecting them from serious illness while also helping to make our communities less vulnerable.  

• The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks of getting COVID-19.  

• If a vaccinated child does get infected with COVID-19 after vaccination, their chances of ending up in hospital or of dying are much less.  

• Some people, including young people, have long-term complications after getting COVID-19.  

• Vaccinating youth, who tend to be highly social, will help slow down the rate of COVID-19 transmission. 

• People who are fully vaccinated with 2 doses are able to more safely participate in group activities, gatherings, and school. 

You will be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine if you are under 18 years old and the Moderna if you are over 18 years old. 

• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by Health Canada for children ages 12 and up on May 5. 

• Changes were made to the Quebec Immunization Protocol on May 19 – stating that the Pfizer-BioNTech is now authorized for children ages 12 and up. 

• The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is approved in Canada for adults over the age of 18.  It is still not approved for use in12-17 years old as clinical trials are ongoing. 

Yes.  

• The COVID19 vaccines were the subject of rigorous testing involving a large number of people and underwent all the necessary steps before being approved. 

• Health Canada has very high standards for vaccine safety. 

• Pfizer has included over 2,200 youth ages 12 – 15 years old in clinical trials since October 2020.  

The nurses on our vaccinating team are very skilled and use a small needle adapted to the Pfizer vaccine - it will be like a small mosquito bite! 

The arm that was vaccinated might be a little sore. It can last a few hours to a few days. Some people have headaches, upset stomachs and are very tired for a while. You could also have a bit of fever, and sore muscles.  

• These side effects are signs are normal and temporary.  

• They are signs that your immune system is building antibodies against the COVID-19 virus.  

• Your parents can give you some Tylenol to relieve your pain. 

Most reactions are harmless and do not last long. Common side effects may include: 

• Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site 

• Tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection 

• Headache or fatigue 

• Muscle or joint pain 

• Chills or fever 

• Nausea or vomiting 

Please note: 

• The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have similar side effects, since they are both mRNA vaccines. 

• The majority of youth ages 12 to 15 years old experience fatigue or headache. 

• Reactions can occur up to 8 days after vaccination. 

• You will receive a paper proof of vaccination after getting your vaccine.
• Anyone who was vaccinated for COVID-19 can receive electronic proof of vaccination with a QR code/barcode.
• Electronic proof can be obtained through a self-service portal launched by the Quebec government, whether or not you signed up for a vaccine appointment through Clic-Santé.

• Get your electronic proof here: https://covid19.quebec.ca/PreuveVaccinale. 
• How to do it: COVID-19 proof of vaccination in Eeyou Istchee - Updated | Cree Health
• For assistance: 18TCR.CovidVaccinationForms@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Clinical trials suggest the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective against COVID-19 among youths 12 – 15 years old. 

• In clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 illness in people 16 years old and up without previous infection.  

• The immune response in youth 12-15 years old was at least as strong as the immune response in people aged 16-25 years old.  

• Youths 14 years old and up can give their own consent for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Youths 12 - 13 years old need the consent of a parent or legal guardian to be vaccinated. The nurse will give you a form your parents need to sign. Once you bring it back to the nurse, she will be able to vaccinate you. If your parents are with you, they can give their consent verbally. 

Yes.  

• Two (2) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is needed for long-lasting protection, whether it is the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. 

• The first dose helps the immune system create a response against the virus.  

• The second dose ensures longer-lasting protection.

• The second dose gives better protection against the variants, including the new Delta variant (B.1.617.2).
• A single dose is less effective than two doses.
• Two weeks after the second dose:
  • We reach 80% to 94% protection against the virus
  • We reach an excellent protection that prevents us from being hospitalized from COVID-19 complications.   

The more people are vaccinated, the safer we all become. 

• Some people, including young people, have long-term complications after getting COVID-19. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks of getting COVID-19.  

• Even if you are already healthy, vaccination allows your immune system to fight the virus faster and more efficiently if you are ever exposed to it. This means you are less likely to get sick.  

• It is important for each of us to get vaccinated so that we can at least ensure our own safety, and hopefully decrease the spread of the virus in our communities. 

• Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19 and its complications.  

• People who are fully vaccinated with 2 doses are able to more safely participate in group activities, gatherings, and school.