Health Canada approves Pfizer vaccine for kids 12 to 15 years old

Health Canada says the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can now be given to kids as young as 12.

The vaccine was previously authorized for anyone at least 16 years of age or older.

A trial of more than 2,200 youth in that age group in the United States recorded no cases of COVID-19 among vaccinated kids.

Canada becomes the 1st country to approve Pfizer for kids 12 and older (U.S. FDA will make an announcement next week). Dr. Sharma signed off this morning saying children 12 and up can get vaccinated at any point now. Provinces will update vaccine timelines @CHCHNews https://t.co/VrmO8B2Pov

— Nicole Martin (@nicolemartintv) May 5, 2021

Health Canada’s chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma says the evidence is there that the vaccine is safe and effective in that age group.

The trial used the same size doses, and the same two-doses requirement as the vaccine for adults.