Health Canada has received a submission from the pharmaceutical company Moderna for the approval of its two-dose vaccine for children under five, while the United States has just approved vaccination from the age of six months .
Posted at 2:57 p.m.
Moderna Pharmaceuticals has submitted data to Health Canada for the department to consider approving its vaccine for children under five, Dr.r Howard Njoo, during a press briefing on COVID-19 from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), this Friday.
Minutes earlier in the United States, the US Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers, paving the way for first injections as early as next week .
Specifically, Moderna’s vaccine has been licensed for children between six months and five years old, while children between six months and four years old will be able to receive Pfizer’s three-dose vaccine.
“Health Canada regulators are still studying the issue. We can certainly anticipate a decision in the coming weeks,” said Dr.r Njoo, who was alongside PHAC Chief Administrator Dr.D Theresa Tam.
So far, only Moderna has submitted this application to Health Canada.
Further, “COVID-19 transmission indicators, including daily case counts, lab test positivity rate, and sewage signals are stabilizing nationwide and there is a steady decline in most regions,” said the DD Tam.
However, PHAC is concerned about the growth of Omicron BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. With the summer period, conducive to gatherings and travel, it recommends that citizens be up to date with their vaccines, maintain an optimal level of ventilation in buildings and continue to wear a mask and isolate themselves in the event of symptoms.
As of May 29, the BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants accounted for one-third (35%) of new cases in Quebec.
As of June 20, it will no longer be mandatory for travelers by train or plane departing from Canada to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Although the PHAC does not condemn the lifting of this restriction, it still calls for caution. “It is not because there is no longer an obligation that we should stop protecting ourselves or protecting others, insisted the DD Tam. Be up to date on your vaccines. »
Update on monkeypox
As of June 17, there were 168 cases of monkeypox in Canada, including 141 confirmed cases in Quebec.
According to PHAC, most cases involve men between the ages of 20 and 69, during sexual contact.
The Dr Njoo, however, recalled that the disease could also be transmitted during close contact with the infected person or their personal items, such as a towel or bedding.
“WHO has a meeting next week to discuss monkeypox,” added Dr.D Tam.