Canada authorizes Pfizer vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years old

HALIFAX, Canada (AP) – Canada’s Health regulator approved a children’s dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.

The Health Canada agency has licensed vaccines for children ages 5 to 11. As in the United States, the doses will be a third of the number of doses that adolescents and adults receive.

However, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunizations has suggested that Canadian provinces, which provide medical care in the country, administer the two doses eight weeks apart.

In the United States, children between the ages of 5 and 11 receive two reduced doses three weeks apart, the same as anyone else. Canada had trouble getting the vaccines into the country earlier this year and delayed the second dose to adults until more supplies arrived, but Canadian officials say delaying the second dose provides greater protection.

“A longer interval between doses creates stronger immunity,” said Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy director of public health.

The government agency stated that the vaccine is 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children and no serious side effects were identified.

“After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the Department has determined that the benefits of this vaccine in children between 5 and 11 years of age outweigh the risks,” the Health agency said in a statement.

In the United States, the White House said Thursday that approximately 10% of eligible children ages 5 to 11 have received a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine since the country authorized use for that age group. two weeks ago.

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