News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Parents and guardians can now book an appointment online for children aged five to 11 to receive their first dose of the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccination clinics are offered through the Vitalité and Horizon health networks.

“I am pleased to announce that the first appointments for children under 12 will be available on Friday,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “Pediatric doses have already started arriving in New Brunswick and we will receive enough vaccine so every child aged five to 11 can be fully vaccinated.”

“While children are at a lower risk of severe illness from COVID-19, the virus can still result in serious outcomes in some children, including hospitalization and long-term symptoms,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Vaccinating your child against COVID-19 also helps to reduce the spread in the community for individuals who are at risk of experiencing severe illness, such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.”

This vaccine was approved last week by Health Canada and is recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Dr. Rachel Ouellette, a Fredericton-based pediatrician, said vaccinating children is important, not only because of the potential risks of COVID-19 symptoms, but also because of the mental impact the pandemic has had on children.

“I want to assure parents that the vaccine has been thoroughly tested and has been found to be safe for children five and older,” said Ouellette. “Over the past 20 months, children have missed out, at times, on school, extracurricular activities and social events, causing increased stress and negative impacts on their mental health. By choosing to vaccinate your child, you can ensure they are able to continue with their daily routines and will not have to worry about missing out.”

Participating primary care providers and pharmacies will also play a role in immunizing children five to 11. Information on additional vaccination locations will be available in the coming weeks.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 87.5 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 93.4 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

Health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities – and residents of First Nations communities can now book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine. They must bring their proof of vaccination, i.e. immunization record, to their appointment.

People 65 and older and school personnel are permitted to book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Fully vaccinated people who have received one or two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in their series are permitted to book an appointment to receive an mRNA booster dose if 28 days have passed since their second dose.

International travellers with mixed first two doses of vaccine products are eligible to book an appointment to receive a booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. This applies to anyone who must travel outside of North America for work, education or medical procedures. A booster dose of an mRNA vaccine will be available as long as a 28-day interval has passed since their previous dose.

A detailed list of those eligible for a booster dose is available online.

Appointments for first and second doses, as well as a booster dose for those eligible, can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy. Residents of First Nations communities can also book an appointment at a community clinic.

A list of upcoming mobile and walk-in clinics is available online.

56 recoveries and 75 new cases

Public Health reported today that 56 people have recovered from COVID-19 and there are 75 new cases of the virus, with the number of active cases at 665.

There are 18 people in intensive care and another 27 in hospital for a total of 45 people hospitalized. Of these 45, nine contracted the virus while hospitalized for other reasons due to the ongoing outbreaks in certain units at the Moncton Hospital.

There is one person under 19 currently hospitalized.

Public Health has confirmed that a person 60-69 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) has died as a result of COVID-19.

The rate of people hospitalized and in ICU, as well as new cases, continues to most greatly impact people who are unvaccinated. Information about the rates of cases and hospitalizations based on vaccination status is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 40 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;

• five people 20-29;

• four people 30-39;

• six people 40-49;

• six people 50-59;

• seven people 60-69;

• two people 70-79;

• three people 80-89; and

• three people 90 and over.

Twenty-five cases are under investigation and 15 are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 13 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;

• two people 20-29;

• two people 30-39;

• two people 50-59;

• two people 70-79; and

• a person 80-89.

Four cases are under investigation and nine cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The nine new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

• three people 19 and under;

• two people 30-39;

• a person 40-49;

• a person 50-59;

• a person 60-69; and

• a person 80-89.

Eight cases are under investigation and one case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

The one new case in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) is a person 19 and under. The case is travel-related.

The 12 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;

• a person 30-39;

• two people 40-49;

• four people 60-69; and

• a person 70-79.

Five cases are under investigation and seven cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Confirmed cases in schools and child-care facilities

Information on cases in schools is available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website and the COVID-19 dashboard.

A case has been confirmed at the Preschool Centre on Main St. in Zone 3 (Fredericton region). If you or a family member have been in close contact with a case, you will be notified by Public Health or the facility for contact tracing. If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact.

Since Sept. 7, 86 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Isolation reminder

Any household in New Brunswick with a positive case of COVID-19 must isolate for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status.

Household members who are fully vaccinated will be able to leave isolation with a day-five negative PCR test. A day-10 PCR test must still be taken to confirm the negative result.

Those who violate the Public Health order to self-isolate face a fine of between $480 and $20,400.

Potential public exposures

Anyone with two or more symptoms of the virus is urged to request a test online to get an appointment.

If you have been at the site of a possible public exposure, but remain asymptomatic, you may be able to pick up a rapid-screening kit (while supplies last).

A map of potential public exposures can also be found on the COVID-19 dashboard.