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COVID-19

Canada Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Health Canada has granted authorization to updated COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and by Moderna for use this respiratory virus season. The new mRNA shots will target the LP.8.1 variant of the Omicron descendant. The vaccines, Comirnaty from Pfizer and Spikevax from Moderna, are approved for use in adults and children six months of age and older.

Key Takeaways:

  • Health Canada has authorized two updated COVID-19 vaccines for use this respiratory virus season: Comirnaty from Pfizer and BioNTech, and Spikevax from Moderna.
  • The new mRNA shots will target the LP.8.1 variant, a descendant of Omicron, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
  • Both vaccines are approved for use in adults and children six months of age and older.
  • The provinces and territories are responsible for ordering COVID-19 vaccines and deciding who will receive them free of charge.
  • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends vaccination for certain groups, including seniors, long-term care residents, and immunocompromised individuals.
  • The advisory committee recommends a different vaccination schedule for various age groups and at-risk populations.

The recommended vaccination schedule includes two doses of the vaccine per year for individuals 80 years of age and older, long-term care residents, and people six months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Individuals between 65 and 79 years of age, healthcare workers, and those at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should receive one shot per year.

Statistics:

  • The LP.8.1 variant is a descendant of the Omicron variant, which was being monitored by the World Health Organization earlier this year.
  • The Comirnaty vaccine is approved for use in adults and children six months of age and older.
  • The Spikevax vaccine is also approved for use in the same age groups.
  • Two doses of the vaccine per year are recommended for individuals 80 years of age and older, long-term care residents, and people six months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.
  • One dose of the vaccine per year is recommended for individuals between 65 and 79 years of age, healthcare workers, and those at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Sources:

  • Moderna news release
  • Pfizer news release
  • World Health Organization
  • National Advisory Committee on Immunization
  • Health Canada

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