Health Canada is expected to make a final decision in the next week or two regarding the authorization of vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 years.

COVID case numbers are rising among children in that age group across Canada. Public Health officials in this province confirmed late last month that a recent outbreak in the Marystown region was linked to spread in the school system.

Public Health reintroduced mandatory mask wearing for all students in the K-6 school system in response.

The federal government is ready to receive nearly 3 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine for children once it receives Health Canada authorization.