Canada Approves Use of Moderna's Covid-19 Booster

By Robb M. Stewart

Canada's health regulator has authorized the use of Moderna's latest Covid-19 booster targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for anyone six months of age and older.

Health Canada said Tuesday it also is reviewing a submission from Pfizer and partner BioNTech seeking approval for their own Covid-19 vaccine for the subvariant for the same age group, and has received a submission from Novavax for its vaccine targeting the subvariant for people 12 and older.

The agency said that it determined Moderna's latest vaccine meets safety, efficacy and quality requirements.

According to the product label for Moderna's vaccine, known as Spikevax, anyone five years and older should receive one dose, regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination history, while those between six months and four years old should receive two doses if they haven't previously had a Covid-19 vaccine or a single dose if they have had one or more prior doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Health Canada's approval comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the updated boosters from Pfizer and Moderna for people six months and older on Monday. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to endorse the latest Covid-19 boosters on Tuesday afternoon.

Write to Robb M. Stewart at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 12, 2023 11:50 ET (15:50 GMT)

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