Anyone else thinking of taking their kids to the US for a booster?

[FigmentSpark]

My son is 17.5. No booster offerings in sight for that age group, let alone any kids, just school closures.

We sail in March and I'd like him done before we have to sail. I was thinking of just getting him done on the way to the port (we're driving), but I know that he won't have the two weeks for his immune system to process the booster, if I do it then.

I'm also thinking of just doing a day trip across the border for a booster, but I hate that I have to 'cheat' the system at all.

Anyone else thought about doing something like this with their kids' booster or vaccines?

 

[bigorsmall]

To be honest, I don't think my 15-year-old son needs a booster shot. He will go back to school next Monday. Many of his classmates and friends have already caught Omicron during the winter break. The teens are either recovered super quickly or had no symptoms at all.

 

[starry_solo]

We have plenty of shots going to waste do come on down!

 

[Jrb1979]

For those in Ontario use this site to find appointments. I looked yesterday and managed to get one the same day.


https://vaccine-ontario.ca/?order=asc&orderBy=city

 

[Frozen2014]

We almost did this back in December for DH and I as we really wanted a booster before our cruise. The only reason we didn't was by the time we realized this would be our chance, it was close to our sailing and we knew we could have been subjected to the quarantine rule returning to Canada. It would have been silly as we would have crossed, gotten the booster (which we even booked) and then returned right after. But it could have happened and we didn't have the days for it to quarantine.

SO if you are ok with having to quarantine until a test comes back (if you are selected), then I would consider it for the extra protection. The booster will open up for the under 18, but who knows when. So maybe wait a bit to see if it opens up here for the under 18 but give yourselves enough time to get it done if not?
P.S. - DH and I were able to get a booster via a pharmacy but lucked out.

 

[Frozen2014]

P.S. - Also caution on the option to get it done on the way to the port. This was our backup plan too. The only risk you have with this is that you don't know if your son will have any side affects and you don't want him sick on the cruise. DH and I had for the second shot and only minor for the booster but you never know.

 

[FigmentSpark]

P.S. - Also caution on the option to get it done on the way to the port. This was our backup plan too. The only risk you have with this is that you don't know if your son will have any side affects and you don't want him sick on the cruise. DH and I had for the second shot and only minor for the booster but you never know.

That was definitely my concern, too. He was fine for his first two, but that doesn't mean anything. All I need is for him to have a slight fever when we get to port for everything to go awry.

 

[mom2rm]

I’m in a similar situation as you. My son is not quite 18 yet and we are heading to Disney World in a couple months. I would feel better if got his booster before we go. I went on the government portal and just entered all his info, date of birth, and when he received his last shot as was able to book his booster in February. I think all long as your son turns 18 this year he’d be eligible.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I’m in a similar situation as you. My son is not quite 18 yet and we are heading to Disney World in a couple months. I would feel better if got his booster before we go. I went on the government portal and just entered all his info, date of birth, and when he received his last shot as was able to book his booster in February. I think all long as your son turns 18 this year he’d be eligible.

Oh! I guess it’s worth a try. What province are you in?

UPDATE: I just tried it. I have to go through our region and they denied. It still says they have to be 18 unless they meet the other criteria, which he doesn't. Oh well. It was worth a try.

 

[mom2rm]

Oh! I guess it’s worth a try. What province are you in?

I'm in Ontario.
That's what I thought, I'd give it a try. If he wasn't eligible, it wouldn't allow me to book his appointment.

 

[FigmentSpark]

my son’s birthday is in Sept, so maybe that has something to do with it. Did you use the Ontario portal? I had to use the Halton portal.

 

[mom2rm]

my son’s birthday is in Sept, so maybe that has something to do with it. Did you use the Ontario portal? I had to use the Halton portal.

Yes, I used the Ontario portal.
Sent you a PM

 

[wdwmom3]

Oh! I guess it’s worth a try. What province are you in?

UPDATE: I just tried it. I have to go through our region and they denied. It still says they have to be 18 unless they meet the other criteria, which he doesn't. Oh well. It was worth a try.

Maybe try a pharmacy. They may not be as strict.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Pharmacy is a good idea, unless they aren't allowed to give it by the portal that would pay for it. They still have to access the health card info to give it. I know this because I was denied because we were two days early, back when we had to wait 168 days before getting a booster (and then that night they changed the rules!!)

 

[DLgal]

How would you expect to get a booster in the US? You have to provide insurance information to get one here.

 

[FigmentSpark]

How would you expect to get a booster in the US? You have to provide insurance information to get one here.

You can’t just pay for it?

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

my son’s birthday is in Sept, so maybe that has something to do with it. Did you use the Ontario portal? I had to use the Halton portal.

Halton is weird. We got DS who is 8 his 2nd dose last week in Peel as Halton wanted him to wait until the end of the month.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Halton is weird. We got DS who is 8 his 2nd dose last week in Peel as Halton wanted him to wait until the end of the month.

How did you do get the appointment?

 

[FinnFogg]

We did it and feel that it was the best thing for our family.

 

[FinnFogg]

We are currently in the US on vacation. My 8 and 10 year olds got their second dose the day we arrived, as they would not be eligible back home until the end of January. This past week the US recommended boosters at 5 months for age 12 and up, and we were able to get an appointment at CVS for my 12 year old to get his booster 2 days later. So happy we did.