HALIFAX, Canada (AP) – Canadian health authorities approved Pfizer’s childhood vaccine against COVID-19 on Friday, announcing that they will allow Canadians returning from short trips abroad to use a faster and less expensive diagnostic test. to detect coronavirus.
The Health Canada agency authorized the inoculation of children from 5 to 11 years old. And, as in the United States, the doses will be one third of the amount applied to adolescents and adults.
However, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that the country’s provinces, which are the national healthcare providers, apply both doses at least eight weeks apart.
In the United States, children ages 5 to 11 receive the two doses three weeks apart, just like everyone else. Canada had trouble getting vaccines to arrive earlier this year and delayed the second dose to adults until more supplies were delivered. But Canadian officials have said extending the time to give the second vaccine increases 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 5 to 11 years of age outweigh the risks,” Health Canada said in a statement.
The agency also noted that Canadians and permanent residents returning from the United States or other nations after trips of less than 72 hours will no longer be required to submit a negative PCR test when they return. A rapid antigen test will suffice from November 30.
The PCR test will continue to be required of those who have made long journeys abroad and travelers who have their complete vaccination schedule from the United States and other countries, although the Minister of Health of Canada, Jean-Yves Duclos, said that the authorities they will update this situation for Americans shortly.
“It’s very important. I’m glad they make things easier, ”said Sandy Pearce, who lives in Fort Erie, Ontario, and wants to travel with less complications to New York State to help her parents in their 90s.
