The first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines for kids under the age of five are expected to arrive in Waterloo Region near the end of July.
Region of Waterloo Public Health confirmed the details to CityNews 570 on Friday, a day after Health Canada announced it approved Moderna's two-dose series vaccine for children between the ages of five and six months.
The health unit said it's still awaiting more direction from the province, but it's anticipated the first doses will arrive in our community in the next couple of weeks.
"In anticipation of the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, we have been working with our immunization partners to plan this next phase of the vaccine rollout, " read an e-mail statement from a public health spokesperson. "Pharmacies will continue to administer vaccines, and given the age of the youngest children, primary care providers will have an important role."
When Ontario's online booking system opens up for the pediatric vaccines, the region said local families will be able to use that to book appointments for their kids at regional clinics as well.
