Canada Authorizes Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine

BioNTech SE and Pfizer Canada announced that Health Canada has granted Authorization under an Interim Order for the emergency use of their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2). BioNTech will hold the regulatory approval in Canada, while Pfizer Canada will have the commercialization rights.

Cole Pinnow, President, Pfizer Canada, stated in a press release issued on December 9, 2020: “We commend Health Canada for its careful and thorough assessment of our COVID-19 vaccine and timely action to help protect Canadians.” 

Earlier on December 9th, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) medical director Stephen Powis reported: 'the advice had been changed after two NHS workers reported anaphylactoid reactions associated with receiving the vaccine. As is common with new vaccines the MHRA (regulator) have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination.'