Canada's COVID-19 Immunization Committee Confirms Adolescent Use

The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued new advice on May 18, 2021, to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments on the recommended use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age.

The NACI recommends that a complete series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to individuals in this population.

Previously, Health Canada authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age on May 5, 2021, following a Phase 3 clinical trial this population.

"Although the risk of hospitalization, admission to ICU, and death associated with COVID-19 is infrequent in this age group, we have seen that adolescents can still experience severe illness," stated Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, NACI Chair, in a related press statement.

"The availability of this vaccine for teenagers in Canada will allow them to resume the activities that are so central to their health and well-being, including in-person schooling, events with friends and family, and extracurricular activities, in accordance with local public health measures."

The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in adolescents will continue to be monitored in clinical trial participants and those receiving the vaccine through public health programs. NACI will closely monitor evolving evidence and update its recommendations if needed.

To see the full update, please see Recommendation on the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age.