Health Canada OK’s Pfizer bivalent booster for kids aged 5 to 11

Health Canada has approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent booster for children between the ages of five and 11.

In a media release Friday, Health Canada said the booster targets the original COVID-19 strain as well as the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

The booster was approved for use in Canadians aged 12 and over on Oct. 7. The dose for kids aged five to 11 is one-third the size of that OK’ed for individuals 12 and up.

“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 5 to 11 years of age is safe and effective and that its benefits outweigh any potential risks,” the release noted.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended children with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions should get a dose of the new vaccine at least six months after they get their first two COVID shots.

The recommendation for other children in the age group is more discretionary, and NACI suggests the bivalent booster “may be” offered.

According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s bi-weekly report on respiratory illnesses, 20 per cent of people aged five and up in the province have received their latest booster dose in the past six months. The report also said only 16 per cent of Saskatchewan residents over the age of 12 have received a bivalent booster dose to date.

It’s unknown when doses of the bivalent booster will be available in the province.

— With files The Canadian Press