Youth - Kids Health First
Thank you for the sacrifices you have made over the past year
We know it has been so hard to be missing so many of the things and people you love. We are confident that things will return to normal soon.
You have an important role to play in making this happen.
Having more young people vaccinated helps us to protect our families and our entire community and will mean that we can start going back to the things we love doing like sports, hanging out with friends, and going to school. The faster we can get everyone vaccinated the faster life will return to normal again.
While there is also a lot of information on theInternet and social media, not all of it is accurate. If you are looking for information about COVID-19 vaccines, be sure to rely on trusted, expert sources. Read on for information that has been fact-checked and verified by Ontario experts.
The vaccine is safe and it works. Vaccines are the most effective tool we have to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. Vaccines protect us by helping our body build immunity and decreasing our chance of spreading it to others in our community.
Having more young people vaccinated helps us to protect our families and our entire community. Youth who get infected with COVID-19 typically experience mild symptoms, but like adults, children also can transmit the virus to others if they are infected, even if they don’t feel sick. Getting our vaccinations will mean that we can start going back to the things we love doing like sports, volunteering, hanging out with friends, and going to school. The faster we can get everyone vaccinated the faster life will return to normal again.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a choice that you and your family can make and plays an important role in helping you to protect yourself, your friends, your family, and your community. Although youth are less likely to experience serious illness from COVID-19, some young people do get sick and require hospitalization. Vaccines are the best way to prevent this from happening.
If you were born in 2009 or older, you can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Also, watch out for pop-up clinics in your community. At the clinic, the health care provider will talk to you about the purpose of the vaccine, the risks and benefits, and answer any questions you have. If your parents, adult family members and/or caregivers have not received the COVID-19 vaccine yet, they can also book an appointment or go to the clinic with you. This is the best way to ensure that your family is protected against COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines are only provided if informed consent is received from the person, including those aged 12 to 17, and as long as the young person has the capability to make this decision. This means the young person understands the treatment, why it is being recommended, and the risks and benefits if they accept or refuse to be vaccinated.
If you have any questions reach out to trusted adults and/or your family doctor. Your local public health unit will also have accurate information regarding COVID-19 and vaccines.
Indigenous Youth & the COVID-19 Vaccine
Watch Indigenous youth discuss how the pandemic has impacted their mental health and family life and why they have decided to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Videos provided by the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council.