Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and its Scarborough Ontario Health Team (SOHT) partners are making sure their community is better protected against COVID-19 by inviting Scarborough children to join their super squad of health heroes.

Following Health Canada’s approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the five to 11 age group and today’s announcement from the Province, the Scarborough Vaccine Clinic Team is getting ready to begin expanding their proven vaccination program to include this younger demographic. The clinic website will be updated later this week with new booking links specifically for making appointments for kids, aged five to 11.

The V Team

With more than 578,000 doses already administered, SHN and the SOHT partners are poised to spring into action with the help of their very own “V Team.” Formed to demonstrate the awesome power of becoming fully vaccinated, the V Team bestows honourary membership upon all kids aged five to 11 who roll up their sleeve and get the shot. Providing some support and a little encouragement, is Captain V Bear and the V Team kids who use body, mind, and heart to stop COVID-19 in its tracks.

“Families can be confident that they will have a safe, calm, and kid-friendly experience during their child’s vaccination appointment,” said Glyn Boatswain, Chief Nursing and Allied Health Executive, SHN. “Captain V Bear and the V Team kids are a fun part of the child and family centered care you can expect at each of our vaccine clinics. Our vaccinators and clinic staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, support services, child life specialists, screeners, volunteers and more, are specially prepared for helping families to get younger children vaccinated.” 

More details to come this week 

SHN and its SOHT partners are planning to roll out vaccines to children ages five to 11 through a number of approaches, including through local schools, at the Scarborough COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics, and within the community. Further details including when parents can begin booking at the Scarborough Vaccine Team clinics will be announced later this week.

VaxFacts for Parents Virtual Town Hall 

For more information on the vaccine, how it works in children, and why it’s so important, SHN invites families to attend the free VaxFacts for Parents Virtual Town Hall to hear from some of SHN’s expert physicians ” including Dr. Peter Azzopardi, Chief of Paediatrics, Dr. Reena Lovinsky, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and Dr. Latif Murji, Physician Lead for the VaxFacts Clinic.

Join the VaxFacts for Parents event on Thursday, November 25 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Zoom: zoom.us/j/98595788905

Dial-in: 647-558-0588

Learn more at vaxfacts-virtual-town-hall.eventbrite.ca, and RSVP to receive event reminders and an email with the Zoom link.  

About Scarborough Health Network 

Across our three hospitals and eight satellite sites, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is shaping the future of care. Our many programs and services are designed around the needs of one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse communities. We are home to North America’s largest nephrology program, as well as the designated cardiac care and spine centre for Scarborough and surrounding communities to the east. We are proud to be a community-affiliated teaching site for the University of Toronto and partner with a number of other universities and colleges, helping to train the next generation of health care professionals.

Media contact: 

Lisa Cipriano, Scarborough Health Network, lcipriano@shn.ca or 416-356-7950

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