(Dreamstime)

By David Opinko

Health Canada authorizes Moderna’s COVID vaccine for children aged 6-11

Mar 17, 2022 | 10:38 AM

OTTAWA, ON – A new option will soon be available for youths in Canada to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Health Canada has authorized the use of the Moderna Spikevax (50 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged 6-11.

The application was received by the federal health agency on November 16, 2021.

The vaccine was initially approved for use in adults in December 2020 and a version intended for children aged 12-17 was given the green light in August 2021.

Health Canada says the available evidence shows the vaccine is safe for youths in younger groups is safe.

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“After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the Department has determined that the benefits of this vaccine for children between 6 and 11 years of age outweigh the risks. Health Canada has authorized a primary two-dose regimen of 50 micrograms per dose to be administered four weeks apart. This is half of the 100 micrograms primary two-dose regimen authorized for people 12 years of age and older.”

Clinical trials showed that the immune response in children aged 6-11 was comparable to those between the ages of 18-25. No serious adverse events were observed in the trial.

More details on the Moderna Spikevax (50 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the Health Canada website.

At the time of publication, it is not clear when Albertans in this age group will be able to book their appointments for the Moderna Spikevax (50 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccination information in Alberta can be found on the Alberta Government’s website.

A Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is already being utilized for children aged 5-11 in Canada.

READ MORE: Health Canada approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11