Canada Approves Use of Pfizer and BioNTech Covid-19 Booster
29 September 2023 - 3:26AM
Dow Jones News
By Robb M. Stewart
Canada's health regulator cleared the latest Covid-19 shot from
Pfizer and partner BioNTech, giving its approval to a second
vaccine targeting the latest versions of the virus now
circulating.
Health Canada said Thursday it authorized the use of the drug
companies' Comirnaty Covid-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5
subvariant for individuals 6 months of age and older. The agency
received Pfizer and BioNTech's submission for the updated vaccine
on June 29, and after an independent review of the evidence
determined it met safety, efficacy and quality requirements.
Earlier this month, Health Canada authorized Moderna's Covid-19
vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant, and it is
currently reviewing a submission from Novavax for its shot
targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people 12 years of age
and older.
Health Canada said the country will have ample supply of the new
formulation of mRNA vaccines available in the fall. The country's
National Advisory Committee on Immunization is evaluating Covid-19
vaccine options and schedules, and is expected to provide guidance
in the coming months.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier in the month
cleared the updated Covid-19 shots from Moderna and Pfizer and
BioNTech for adults and children 6 months and older.
Pfizer and BioNTech said their new vaccine is administered as a
single dose for people 5 and older, regardless of their vaccination
history, while children 6 months through 4 years old will receive
the vaccine as a three-dose series for those who haven't completed
a primary CXovid-19 vaccination course or as a single dose for
those who have.
The companies expect the updated vaccine to be available in
Canada in the coming weeks.
They said they continue to monitor emerging SARS-CoV-2 strains
and are conducting studies to monitor the vaccine's effectiveness,
including against the recently emerged Omicron BA.2.86 "Pirola"
variant and the globally dominant EG.5.1 "Eris" subvariant.
Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 28, 2023 13:11 ET (17:11 GMT)
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