Canada Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents

Ottawa-based Health Canada today announced the mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 'is now safe to give to children ages 12 and up.'

Canada is the first country to sign off on giving shots to these younger age groups.

“After completing a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the department determined that this vaccine is safe and effective when used in this younger age group,” said Health Canada’s chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma. 

Health Canada's authorization was based on Pfizer-BioNTech’s Phase 3 clinical trial results involving 2,260 adolescents aged 12 to 15, conducted in the USA.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was issued the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization for individuals 16 years of age and older on December 11, 2020.

Media reports indicate the U.S. CDC is considering a similar expanded use for this vaccine.