National

Bivalent COVID booster OK'd for kids

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Dec, 2022 11:16 AM

OTTAWA - Health Canada has approved a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster for use in children ages five to 11, which targets the original strain of the coronavirus and more recent variants.

The Pfizer vaccine is the first "bivalent" shot to be approved for use in children.

Health Canada says in a press release that after the thorough review, it has found the vaccine is safe and effective and that its benefits outweigh any potential risks when used as a booster dose.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends children with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions be offered a dose of the new vaccine at least six months after they receive their first two COVID-19 shots.

The recommendation for other children in the age group is more discretionary, and NACI suggests the bivalent booster "may be" offered.

For now, only one COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for all kids in that age group.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Child benefit cost lower because of COVID aid: PBO

The report, released Wednesday, focuses on the effect the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Recovery Benefits had on child benefit payments to families. It provided costing estimates for several scenarios.

Child benefit cost lower because of COVID aid: PBO

BC Ferries fined $674,000 over worker's death

The worker leaned onto a fabric webbing panel that broke away when he was trying to retrieve an item floating in the water, and he drowned. The agency says the worker wasn't wearing a life-jacket and the fabric panels were insufficient at stopping him from falling into the water below.

BC Ferries fined $674,000 over worker's death

B.C. launches fire prevention project amid deaths

The Office of the Fire Commissioner's annual report says fire-related deaths have increased in B.C. by 119 per cent since 2020 and victims older than 65 were overly represented.

B.C. launches fire prevention project amid deaths

Public Health Agency of Canada issues a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on monkeypox for many countries

During your travel, you may be subject to procedures at your destination put in place to limit the spread of monkeypox, such as isolation, should you become infected. You may have limited access to timely and appropriate health care should you become ill, and may experience delays in returning home.

Public Health Agency of Canada issues a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on monkeypox for many countries

Summit Day 1: Biden to Kimmel, Trudeau to Barbados

Before his leader-level meetings get underway, Biden is sitting down to tape an appearance with talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel. Trudeau, who arrived in Los Angeles late Tuesday, is getting down to work on environmental priorities with Barbados counterpart Mia Mottley.

Summit Day 1: Biden to Kimmel, Trudeau to Barbados

One in custody after police standoff in Victoria

Officers were called to an apartment in the 2500-block of Quadra Street Tuesday afternoon for a man in a mental health crisis who was said to be at risk of becoming violent. Police say the man refused to speak with them, and barricaded himself inside the unit.