'I'm finally able to get it': New COVID-19 vaccine policies take effect
New COVID-19 vaccine policies came into effect in Waterloo Region on Wednesday, opening up eligibility to children born in 2009 or earlier.
Among them was 11-year-old Amelia Fischer, who was previously denied a shot because she wasn't yet twelve.
"I'm just very grateful that I'm finally able to get it and happy that I can feel safe going to school this September," she said.
Region of Waterloo officials said the policy change will likely apply to several thousand residents.
Eleven-year-old Amelia Fischer received a COVID-19 vaccine shot on Wednesday.
Another change allows individuals considered part of certain vulnerable populations to receive a third booster shot.
Long-term care home residents, like 81-year-old Glenna Balsdon in London, are on the list of those who can now get a third vaccine dose.
Balsdon's son says the added protection is necessary so that his mother can continue with in-person visits with her family.
"To be able to continue those kinds of interactions, it helps everybody," said David Balsdon.
Organ transplant recipients are also now eligible for the third jab.
"It's good news that it is on the way," said Guelph-area kidney transplant recipient Peter Wechselmann. "I think all of us have been waiting for the third shot, all the immunosuppressed people."
Wechselmann says he called his local public health unit and was told family doctors and specialists are now making a list of organ transplant recipients and patients of hematological cancers, but the process will take time.
"Don't call them, they will reach out to us within three weeks after they identify all of the people on their patient list that are qualified," he said.
The Region of Waterloo health unit is urging those with qualifying medical conditions to first consult with their doctor about getting the third dose.
A spokesperson for the region said some third doses have already been administered.
COVID-19 booster shots are available at vaccine clinics, family doctor's offices and pharmacies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Freeland tables motion previewing omnibus budget bill
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass the sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the centre of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.