Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for the fall and winter months has been approved by Health Canada.
The updated Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals aged six months and older.
This approval follows the recent approval of Moderna’s updated vaccine for all Canadians aged six months and older.
Both Pfizer and Moderna offer one-dose vaccines for individuals five years and older.
Children between six months and four years of age who have not received their primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to receive three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Health Canada is currently reviewing an updated non-mRNA vaccine from Novavax.
Novavax’s vaccine has been submitted for consideration in individuals aged 12 years and older.
At the time of Moderna’s approval, Health Canada senior medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma confirmed the department was actively reviewing submissions from Pfizer and Novavax for their vaccines targeting XBB.1.5.
“These submissions are being reviewed on a priority basis by dedicated scientific teams,” she said during a briefing on Sept. 12.
“Timing for the completion of these reviews depends on many factors. We will make decisions once we have thoroughly evaluated all of the required information.”
The vaccine approval coincides with the emergence of two new COVID-19 variants, BA.2.86 and EG.5, within the country, and experts are again warning about continued vigilance in public health measures.
“This vaccine is anticipated to provide a robust immune response that will be effective against the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant,” said Sharma.
In recent weeks, Canada has seen an increase in reported COVID-19 cases. Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, partially attributed this rise to diminishing vaccine effectiveness over time, emphasizing the importance of getting an updated vaccine.
On Sept. 6, Pfizer announced that its new COVID-19 vaccine generated a strong antibody response against the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant of the coronavirus in a preclinical study in mice.
Moderna also stated that clinical trial data in humans showed its updated shot will likely be effective against the variant.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) continues to recommend that authorized age groups receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose this fall, six months after their last vaccine dose or infection.
With files from the Canadian Press
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