Interior Health says COVID-19 vaccines for kids aged six months to four years will only be available at child-friendly immunization clinics and not in pharmacies.

With the approval of the Moderna vaccine for young children last month, it means everyone over the age of six months now has a vaccine available to them.

People are being urged to register for and book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for their kids aged six months to four years. They can also register children younger than six months who will be invited to book an appointment once they become eligible.

“Now is the time because there is still lots of gatherings that are happening,” Kamloops Medical Health Officer, Dr. Carol Fenton said. “We still have lots of COVID circulating in our communities and it is important to get that protection before everyone goes back indoors and back into school in the fall.”

“It takes at least two weeks from the first dose to get protection from that first dose, and then of course, you need your second dose to get that full protection, so the sooner you can get it, the better.”

Children between the ages of six months and four years old will be given a COVID-19 vaccine specifically formulated for this age group. They will be given given two 25 microgram doses of the vaccine, a quarter of the dosage for adults, about eight weeks apart.

“Vaccination against COVID-19 is still the best way to reduce the risk of getting really sick and needing to be hospitalized due to COVID-19,” Fenton added.

“While children are at lower risk of severe disease from COVID-19 compared to adults, they can still get very sick. The vaccine is safe and effective in preventing serious illness from COVID-19.”

You’ll find a list of clinic locations in the Kamloops area here.