By Canadian Press

FDA approves kids’ COVID-19 vaccine in U.S., Canada likely close behind

Oct 29, 2021 | 2:29 PM

OTTAWA — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11, and Canada could be close behind.

The FDA confirmed the vaccine was more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in children and found no serious side-effects. 

The FDA advisory committee recommended in favour of approving the vaccine after hours of testimony from experts.

Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, said Canadian officials attended that meeting and are watching the process in the U.S. carefully as Canada makes its own decision about the pediatric vaccine.

Sharma said it could still be a few weeks until Health Canada makes a final decision. 

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

46m ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

16h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

16h ago

Earlier this week Patricia Gauthier, the general manager of Moderna Canada, said the company expects to submit its own kids’ vaccine for Health Canada approval soon. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 29, 2021.

The Canadian Press