Health Canada could approve COVID-19 shot for kids under 5 this month

The youngest children in Canada may soon be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Health Canada tweeted Tuesday that it expects to decide by mid-July on whether to approve Moderna’s shot for children aged six months to five years.

(1/3) We realize parents are wondering when a #CovidVaccine for younger children will be available in Canada. Health Canada is reviewing Moderna’s submission for children 6 months to < 6 years of age. A decision is expected by mid-July. pic.twitter.com/ZXqXnyJcTQ

— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) July 5, 2022

Moderna has applied for its vaccine to be given in two doses – each a quarter of its adult dose, given about four weeks apart.

The agency said it received Pfizer-BioNTech’s submission on June 23 for its children’s vaccine for six months to age four, and is figuring out a timeline for the review.