JUST IN Health Canada has completed a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence and has authorized Moderna’s monovalent vaccine targeting Omicron’s subvariant XBB.1.5 for all Canadians 6 months and older.
Children 6 months to 4 years old are recommended to get:
- 2 doses if they have never received a COVID-19 vaccine before.
- 1 dose if they were previously vaccinated – this is the first “booster” dose authorized for this age group.
Anyone 5 years old and older is authorized to receive a dose regardless if they have previously received a COVID-19 vaccine and provided they had their last dose more than 6 months ago (1,2,3).
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is also recommending a dose of the new XBB.1.5 vaccine to anyone over 6 months, but especially for people who are considered at higher risk (4,5,6).
NACI also states that, while intervals of at least 6 months between infection or doses have been shown to provide a stronger antibody response, there are no safety signals associated with shorter intervals (i.e. between 3 to 6 months) if necessary (4).
Preliminary data shows that the XBB.1.5-containing vaccines are expected to generate good protection against currently circulating variants (4).
Still under review are Pfizer’s XBB.1.5 vaccine for individuals 6 months and older (i.e. submitted in June) and Novavax XBB.1.5 vaccine for individuals 12 years and older (i.e. submitted earlier this month) (1,7).
Rollout of Moderna’s XBB.1.5 vaccine is expected in the coming weeks, but the details will depend on your province/territory. So check with local providers for how to book appointments!
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JUST IN Health Canada has authorized Moderna’s monovalent vaccine targeting Omicron’s subvariant XBB.1.5 for all Canadians 6 months and older.#ScienceUpFirst
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— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienced’Abord (@ScienceUpFirst) September 12, 2023
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- Health Canada authorizes Moderna COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant | FR : Santé Canada autorise le vaccin contre la COVID-19 de Moderna qui cible le sous-variant XBB.1.5 d’Omicron
- Regulatory Decision Summary for Spikevax XBB.1.5 | FR : Sommaire de décision réglementaire portant sur Spikevax XBB.1.5
- Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine | FR : Vaccin Spikevax de Moderna contre la COVID-19
- Addendum to the guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the fall of 2023 | FR : Addenda aux directives sur l’utilisation des vaccins contre la COVID–19 à l’automne 2023
- Summary of National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Supplemental Statement of September 12, 2023 | FR : Résumé de la déclaration supplémentaire du comité consultatif national de l’immunisation (CCNI) du 12 septembre 2023
- COVID-19 signs, symptoms and severity of disease: A clinician guide | FR : Signes, symptômes et gravité de la COVID-19 : Guide à l’intention des cliniciens
- Drug and vaccine authorizations for COVID-19: List of applications received | FR : Autorisations de médicament et de vaccin contre la COVID-19 : Demandes reçues
