N.S. pharmacist on giving pediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and the art of distraction
Global News
In addition to making sure they have the supplies and staff necessary, pharmacists are also preparing for a group that might need a little more patience during their COVID shot.
Pharmacists in Nova Scotia are gearing up to inoculate thousands of children aged five through 11 against COVID-19, once Health Canada gives the green light to Pfizer for its pediatric doses.
In addition to making sure they have the supplies and staff necessary, they’re also preparing to vaccinate a group that might need more patience while receiving their shots.
“We’ve been anticipating that there might take a little bit more time with each of the kids, so you’re seeing longer intervals and spacing for the vaccine (appointments),” said Diane Harpell, the chair of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia’s board.
“We’ve all been trained on how to vaccinate all populations in the pharmacy. So a lot of training when we did go through it — learning how to vaccinate and immunize kids and distract and all sorts of strategies to use — we’ll be thinking about those.”
Earlier this month, health officials said children under 12 now make up the largest number of new COVID-19 infections in Canada.
Infections in that age group have now surpassed those of all other age groups for the first time.
Health Canada continues to review data from Pfizer on its vaccine for children aged five to 11, and approval is expected soon. The pediatric doses will be one-third (10 micrograms) the size given to adults and youth aged 12 and older (30 mcg).
The United States has already approved it and has begun vaccinating that age group.