Health Canada to review Moderna vaccine for kids 6-11

The review could take weeks or months

Moderna is seeking approval from Health Canada for its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six to 11.

Health Canada said on Tuesday it had received a submission from Moderna. Officials will review Moderna’s clinical trial data.

“As with all COVID-19 vaccines, the Department will prioritize the review of this submission, while maintaining its high scientific standards for safety, efficacy and quality,” Health Canada said in a news release.

A review could take weeks or months.

On Friday, Health Canada said it expects to make a decision about the Pfizer vaccine for kids under 12 within the next week or two.

The pediatric Pfizer vaccine uses the same mRNA technology as the one for adults but in a smaller dosage.

Recently released data from Pfizer’s own study found their vaccine is nearly 91 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic infections in kids aged 5 to 11.

Moderna said last month that a low dose of its COVID vaccine is safe.

Researchers tested two shots for the 6- to 11-year-olds, given a month apart, that each contained half the dose given to adults. Preliminary results showed vaccinated children developed virus-fighting antibodies similar to levels that young adults produce after full-strength shots, Moderna said in a news release.

The study involved 4,753 children ages 6 to 11 who got either the vaccine or dummy shots. Moderna said that like adults, the vaccinated youngsters had temporary side effects including fatigue, headache, fever, and injection site pain.

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