Pfizer/BioNTech Updated Covid-19 Vaccine Gets Canadian Approval

By Josh Beckerman

Pfizer and BioNTech said drug regulator Health Canada approved their updated Covid-19 vaccine, which will be available in the coming weeks.

Pfizer's Canadian business and Germany's BioNTech said the vaccine will be available in Canada as a single dose for people age 5 and up, regardless of Covid-19 vaccination history. For children 6 months through 4 years old, it is authorized as a three-dose series in those without a history of completion of a Covid-19 primary vaccination course, or as a single dose for those who have completed a primary vaccination course.

Last week, a committee from the European Medicine Agency recommended marketing authorization for the vaccine.

In August, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, as well as Moderna's. The new vaccines target an offshoot of Omicron known as the KP.2 strain. Also approved was a Novavax vaccine that targets the JN.1 strain and has demonstrated cross-reactivity against JN.1 lineage viruses.

Write to Josh Beckerman at josh.beckerman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 24, 2024 14:17 ET (18:17 GMT)

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