City of Ottawa - COVID-19 vaccine bookings to open on Tuesday for five to 11-year-olds

 

Today, the Province announced that starting at 8 am on Tuesday, November 23 Ottawa residents will be able to book vaccine appointments for five to 11-year-olds (born 2016 or earlier) through the provincial booking system. These appointments will be at one of Ottawa Public Health’s seven community clinics. Ottawa Public Health expects to receive vaccine supply this week and more than 60,000 appointments will be available starting Friday, November 26.

Other options for vaccinating five to 11-year-olds include:

• Neighbourhood vaccination hubs – Ottawa Public Health operates 10 neighbourhood vaccination hubs across the city
• After-hours school pop-up vaccination clinics – On December 2, Ottawa Public Health will begin a rotating schedule of 73 after-hours school pop-up vaccination clinics and will post details and clinic schedules on its website later this week
• Pharmacies – over 100 locations across the city are starting to offer vaccines to this age group; find the nearest participating pharmacy for appointment hours and locations
• CHEO – the hospital offers vaccinations to children with medically complex needs
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members - Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health will host a clinic at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre in partnership with Ottawa Public Health
• Inuit community members – Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team is providing vaccinations for Inuit youth; call 613-740-0999 for more information or to book an appointment
• Mobile teams – Ottawa Public Health will be working with operators of congregate care facilities to administer vaccines on site
• Primary care – primary care physicians will be reaching out directly to their patients if they are offering COVID-19 pediatric vaccines in their offices

Ottawa Public Health is aiming to make vaccination for these young residents and their families as easy and comfortable as possible, with new child-friendly signage and fun stickers to take home. Check the Ottawa Public Health website for tips on how to prepare for your child's appointment, such as giving children a snack beforehand and bringing a comforting toy or music to listen to.

Ottawa Public Health recommends all eligible residents receive two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully immunized. Parents and guardians who have questions about the vaccine can visit the frequently asked questions webpage.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines for children aged five to 11, including recommended dose intervals and getting a flu vaccine this season, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ChildCOVID19Vaccine. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

City of Ottawa - Ottawa Public Health ready for COVID-19 vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds

 

Ottawa Public Health today released more details on its plan to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages five to 11. The plan will come into effect after Health Canada authorizes the vaccine for this age group and the Province of Ontario delivers the vaccine supply.

The plan ensures first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be available to 77,000 eligible children ages five to 11 living in Ottawa, within four weeks of the vaccine authorization and delivery. By vaccinating our younger residents, we strengthen the entire community’s immunity from COVID-19 and its highly transmissible variants.

Vaccine appointments for children ages five to 11 are not yet available. More information for this age group, including how to book appointments through the provincial booking system, will be coming soon. Clinic locations and hours will also soon be available at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ChildCOVID19Vaccine. To support children's access to the vaccine, most appointments available through Ottawa Public Health will be protected in the booking system for five to 11-year-olds.

Neighbourhood vaccination hubs and community clinics

Ottawa Public Health will continue to offer immunizations through the existing 10 neighbourhood vaccination hubs, and increase the number of its community clinics from four to seven, operating seven days a week:

• Coming soon – Nepean Sportsplex Curling Rink - 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
• Coming soon – former St. Patrick’s Intermediate School - 1485 Heron Road
• Coming soon – Rideauview Community Centre - 4310 Shore Line Drive
• University of Ottawa – Minto Sports Complex - 801 King Edward Avenue
• JH Putman School – 2051 Bel-Air Drive
• Eva James Memorial Centre – 65 Stonehaven Drive
• Orléans Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA – 265 Centrum Boulevard

New after-hours school pop-up vaccination clinics

Ottawa Public Health will introduce 73 after-hours school pop-up vaccination clinics on a rotating schedule over a four-week period, with capacity to immunize up to 10,000 children per week.

These school clinics are intended to serve residents of the community where they are located, and appointments are not required. Please check Ottawa Public Health’s website regularly for information about school pop-up clinic locations and hours of operation.

Vaccination clinics with community partners

The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, in partnership with Ottawa Public Health, will host a clinic for First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members at Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre.

CHEO will be offering pediatric clinics for children with medically complex needs. Vaccines for children ages five to 11 will also be available through select pharmacies and primary care providers.

Vaccine clinics are family-friendly

Ottawa Public Health is mindful that some children may be anxious and have a fear of needles. Immunizers understand and are trained to help your child have a comfortable experience. Children can bring their favourite stuffed animal and listen to music. Numbing spray is also available to reduce pain at the site where the vaccine is given, and privacy options will be available. There will be child-friendly signage and fun stickers will be given out. Consent by a parent or guardian will be required for COVID-19 vaccination for children aged five to 11. Children will not be vaccinated if their parent or guardian are not present.

For children requiring accessibility support, parents and guardians can go online and complete an accessibility request form once appointments are made available through the provincial booking system.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines for children aged five to 11, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ChildCOVID19Vaccine. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ottawa Public Library - All OPL branches will be closed November 11 for Remembrance Day

This is to remind you that all OPL branches will be closed on November 11 for Remembrance Day.  

Branches will return to their regular hours on Friday, November 12.   

Although the branches will be closed during this time, online services are always available on OPL's website.   

Remember, you can enjoy a wide array of virtual programs, and digital collections  anywhere, anytime through the OPL website.

Ottawa Public Health is expanding clinic operations to serve additional groups eligible for third doses

 

Following the Provincial announcement on eligibility for third doses (booster doses) of the COVID-19 vaccines, Ottawa Public Health is expanding capacity at its four community clinics to operate seven days per week. This applies to the following clinic locations:

• University of Ottawa – Minto Sports Complex
• JH Putman School
• Eva James Memorial Centre
• Orleans Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA

Based on recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and in alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the province will begin offering third doses (booster doses) of the COVID-19 vaccine to the following vulnerable populations if at least six months have passed since their last dose:

• Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
• Health care workers;
• Designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff);
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults (16+) and their non-Indigenous household members.
  

All Ottawa residents who meet these criteria will be able to book an appointment for their third dose through the provincial COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, starting Saturday November 6 at 8 am. Appointments are encouraged, as drop-in availability is limited.

Eligible residents can also reach out to select local pharmacies for their third dose, using the provincial pharmacy locator to find those that provide the booster dose. Many healthcare workers and first responders will have the opportunity to receive their third dose through their employer.

A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be given at least twenty-four weeks (six months) after the second dose. All booster doses will be mRNA vaccines. Mixing COVID-19 vaccines is safe, effective, and enables Ontarians to benefit from the protection of a booster dose. We encourage all those eligible to book an appointment and get their third COVID-19 vaccine at their local pharmacy or a community clinic.

Getting your third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine does not impact your flu vaccine – COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or before/after other vaccines. Individuals two years of age and older can visit participating pharmacies to receive their flu vaccine. Individuals aged six months and older may also receive their flu vaccine from their family doctor or nurse practitioner. Anyone aged six months and older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario is eligible to receive the publicly funded flu vaccine at no cost.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19Vaccine.

For more information on Ottawa Public Health programs and services, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OLV School Community Garden Build Day

 OLV’s School Community Garden is growing!

We will be adding 4 new raised beds to the garden and we need your help. We will be gathering to build and fill 4 raised beds on Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m. in the field beside OLV’s parking lot and are looking for volunteers to help. We’ll provide tools and instructions, so volunteers of all ages and building experience levels are welcome to join us.

You can learn more about the community garden at https://ourladyvictorygard.wixsite.com/communitygarden.

City of Ottawa - Learn to Skate Programs

 

Learn to skate programs

Word It’s time to start thinking about the skate season! Our programs are back with COVID-modifications in place and low ratios for all ages. From group to private lessons, hockey, goaltending skills, powerskating and more, there is something for all abilities. Dates to remember: EGuides online: October 12, 2021 Registration starts: October 20, 2021 at 9 pm

Entertain the kids, virtually

Word If you like the idea of joining a program that you can do from home then take a look at the City’s virtual offerings. There is something for everyone, but if you are looking to keep the kids entertained at home then check out programs like digital music making, keyboard, video editing and cartooning! Go to ottawa.ca/virtualprograms for more information.

Looking for part-time work?

Working with the City of Ottawa in one of our facilities, museums and theatres, is not only fun and a great way to meet lifelong friends, but also amazing for building life skills, networking, and opening the doors to full-time positions with the City. Flexible hours make these jobs ideal for teenagers, people who need to be flexible with school hours, people looking for part-time work, and even retires looking for some in-person hours. With positions ranging from customer service reps to lifeguards there is a job to suit everyone. Click on ottawa.ca/careers to apply today. Accepting applications now for work beginning September 2021.

Book Awards

The 2021 Ottawa Book Awards is going virtual and you are all invited! Sit back and enjoy the exciting virtual ceremony on October 20 at 6 pm and celebrate Ottawa’s top authors. Free registration is required.

Ottawa Public Library - Hey friend, happy Library Month!

 

October is Library Month in Canada⁠—time to celebrate all that libraries do! Over the past 18 months, you've shared how much the Library has helped you stay connected, inspired, current, entertained, and more. For many, the Library has been like a good friend.

For all the ways OPL has been a friend to you, forward this email to a friend, so they can enjoy it too. They can sign up for a free library card in person at one of 33 Ottawa Public Library branches across the city, or use the button below to sign up online.

Sign up for a free library card

Plus, during Library Month, new cardholders can receive an OPL USB flash drive friendship bracelet with 4 GB of storage (while quantities last), when they pick up their physical card at any OPL branch. It's a gift, from our friends to yours, generously donated by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library (FOPLA).