KidsAbility to host sensory-friendly vaccination clinics for children, teens
Posted Nov 30, 2021 09:00:00 PM.
KidsAbility will host COVID-19 vaccination clinics for children who would benefit from getting the vaccine in a supportive and comfortable environment.
The clinics start this weekend at the organization's locations in Waterloo and Cambridge.
“We’re delighted that the KidsAbility team has offered to partner with the Region of Waterloo to make it easier to provide a sensory-friendly vaccination experience for those children who would find our regional vaccination clinics overwhelming,” Vickie Murray, lead of the Region of Waterloo vaccine rollout, said in a news release.
“Although we are confident we can accommodate most children’s needs at our regional vaccination clinics, KidsAbility already has a relationship with many of the families who will benefit from the safe space and added support they are able to offer.”
The clinics will be available for children and youth between 5 and 17 years of age.
The rest of the details below were contained in the news release:
These sensory-friendly vaccination clinics at KidsAbility will be available for children between 5-17 years of age who would have difficulty getting the vaccine at a regional vaccination clinic. Most of the children attending the vaccination clinics at KidsAbility will be known to their staff who are volunteering to support children to have a positive vaccination experience. Parents, caregivers and other members of the child’s household can book an appointment to get their vaccine at the same time.
“From the beginning of the pandemic, KidsAbility has been committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of the children and families we serve, as well as our team members,” said Linda Kenny, Chief Executive Officer for KidsAbility Centre for Child Development. “Vaccines are mandatory for our staff and now we are very pleased to be working with the Region of Waterloo to host sensory-friendly vaccination clinics at our KidsAbility locations. We can offer families of some of the most vulnerable children in our community the opportunity to be vaccinated in an environment that is perhaps familiar and with the support of people they know. We are so excited to be part of assisting families to add this additional ring of protection around children.”
Anyone who feels their child requires the additional support of a sensory-friendly vaccination clinic is encouraged to contact the Region of Waterloo for a referral form: publichealth@regionofwaterloo.
