YELLOWKNIFE -- The Northwest Territories government says it plans to begin rolling out COVID-19 vaccines for young children next week.

The territory says parents and guardians can book appointments for children from six months to five years starting Monday.

Appointment availability in communities will depend on when vaccine supplies are shipped to health centres across the territory.

Health Canada authorized the use of Moderna's Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for children last week.

It is the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in children under the age of five years.

The Yukon government says it plans to begin offering appointments for the Spikevax vaccine this week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2022.