Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Pfizer Canada cites 'urgency' in kids' COVID vax

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Sep, 2021 12:58 PM
  • Pfizer Canada cites 'urgency' in kids' COVID vax

fizer Canada says it plans to provide Health Canada with data showing its COVID-19 vaccine works for children in a bid to seek authorization "as early as possible."

Pfizer said Monday its research shows its product works for children aged five to 11 and that it will also seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward protecting schoolchildren from the novel coronavirus.

Christina Antoniou, the company’s director of corporate affairs in Canada, says they "share the urgency" to provide data that could lead to a shot for young kids.

She could not say when that information would be submitted, but notes Pfizer has been sending new vaccine data to Health Canada as it becomes available.

Health Canada says several studies on children are underway by various COVID-19 vaccine makers, and that it "anticipates vaccine manufacturers to provide data in children in the coming months."

Health Canada adds that no submission has been received yet for the approval of any COVID-19 vaccine in children younger than 12 yearsold.

The vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech is already available for anyone aged 12 and older.

Pfizer studied a lower dose of its two-dose vaccine in more than 2,200 kindergartners and elementary school-aged kids, mostly in the United States and Europe. It says the kids developed coronavirus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as those detected in teenagers and young adults.

Moderna is also testing its shots in elementary school-aged children, and both Pfizer and Moderna are studying COVID-19 vaccines for those as young as six months old. Results are expected later in the year.

Medical officials called the results of Pfizer's trial with kids "encouraging" but cautioned against anticipating too much too soon.

The medical lead with Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine implementation team said it was too early to know what the findings could mean for kids under the age of 12 in the province.

"At this time, we don't even know the extent of how well it protects, what number of side effects they saw. We're very early in the planning," said Dr. Joss Reimer.

However, Reimer said the team has started planning in the event Health Canada approves the Pfizer vaccine for children.

She said this may include providing doses in schools or having alternative clinics in place for youth.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Killed a family: Mass murderer denied parole

Killed a family: Mass murderer denied parole
David Shearing, who now goes by the name David Ennis, shot and killed George and Edith Bentley; their daughter, Jackie; and her husband Bob Johnson, while the family was on a camping trip in 1982 near Wells Gray Provincial Park, about 120 kilometres north of Kamloops, B.C.

Killed a family: Mass murderer denied parole

New MPs must take sexual-harassment training

New MPs must take sexual-harassment training
The awareness course will educate new MPs on what counts as harassment — and how to take steps to prevent it. The course, paid for by the House of Commons, will address many forms of harassment, as well as violence prevention and the abuse of power by MPs.

New MPs must take sexual-harassment training

Long-term water advisory lifted for First Nation

Long-term water advisory lifted for First Nation
The federal government said a long-term boil-water advisory for the community, which was issued in 1998 and was one of the longest in Canada, had been lifted.    

Long-term water advisory lifted for First Nation

Homicide investigators join search for missing mom

Homicide investigators join search for missing mom
The 40-year-old woman is a kindergarten teacher and mother of an 18-month-old daughter. He says the homicide team is asking for patience as the investigation continues and that Onotera's family has also asked for privacy.

Homicide investigators join search for missing mom

661 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

661 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said that there are 5,791 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. Of the active cases, 288 individuals are currently hospitalized, 137 of whom are in ICU. 

661 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

Climate change cited as reason to deny injunction

Climate change cited as reason to deny injunction
Lawyer Steven Kelliher, representing Victoria landscaper Robert (Saul) Arbess, says the court must weigh the importance to the environment of protecting old-growth trees in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island as opposed to the company's economic interests.

Climate change cited as reason to deny injunction