Young children are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine that targets more recent variants of the virus.
Health Canada announced on Friday that it has authorized the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent booster for children between the ages of five and 11. The booster dose targets the original COVID-19 strain and the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants.
Previously, the bivalent booster was only available to those 12 years of age and older.
“After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, Health Canada has determined that the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty Omicron BA.4/BA.5 bivalent-adapted booster vaccine for children five to 11 years of age is safe and effective and that its benefits outweigh any potential risks,” Health Canada said in a news release.
The dose for children between five and 11 is one-third the amount given to those 12 years and older.