Health Canada has authorized the use of the Moderna SPIKEVAX™ COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people six months of age and older amid its review of submissions from two other manufacturers for the same sub strain.
According to Moderna’s product label, individuals five years of age and older should receive one dose, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination history. Children between six months and four years of age should receive two doses if they have not been previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose if they have been previously vaccinated with one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile Health Canada is also actively reviewing submissions from Pfizer-BioNTech (for people six months of age and older) and Novavax (for people 12 years and older).
The national health department says that vaccination continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect one’s self against COVID-19.
“Evidence indicates that all of the vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19,” a statement from Health Canada read. “Since vaccine protection decreases over time, if it has been six months since your last dose, vaccination with the new formulation of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to provide better protection against variants of concern.”
Health Canada received Moderna’s submission for its new COVID-19 vaccine on June 29. After a thorough, independent review of the evidence, it was determined that the vaccine meets the Department’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.
