The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children ages 5 to 11-years-old by Health Canada. The dosage will be one-third of what’s been given to people aged 12 and up, and the two doses can be given 21 days apart. Though Health Canada has approved this interval, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is recommending an interval of eight weeks or more.
Health Canada has been reviewing Pfizer’s submission to use the vaccine on the age group since October 18th, and they are also currently reviewing the Moderna vaccine for those aged 6 to 11.
Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization will be outlining the priority and logistics of immunizing this age group. Right now, the federal government has procured 2.9 million doses of this vaccine, and says the the deliveries would land in Canada shortly after the authorization. That amount will be enough to supply a first dose to every eligible Canadian child. Appointments in Ontario could start as early as next week.
Clinical trails have shown that the Pfizer vaccine was 95 per cent effective in protecting participants from COVID-19 aged 16 and up, 100 per cent effective for those 12 to 15, and 90.7 per cent effective for those aged 5 to 11.
