HEALTH CANADA ANNOUNCES COVID-19 VACCINE APPROVED FOR AGES 5-11

Health Canada has officially approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11, stating that the vaccine is more than 90 percent effective against the COVID-19 virus. 

 

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be delivered in doses one-third the size of those given to adults and children 12 years of age and older. Health Canada authorized the two-dose regimen to be administered three weeks (21 days) apart. 

 

Clinical trials showed the vaccine was 90.7 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 in children age 5-11, and that no serious side effects were identified. Health Canada will continue to monitor the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in this age demographic. If any safety concerns are identified, action will be taken immediately.

 

Pfizer-BioNTech has changed the formulation of the pediatric vaccine slightly, so new vaccines must be delivered to Canada before children can receive the shot. When MCA’s Community Health Program has received the doses, vaccine clinics for youth ages 5-11 will be announced.