It is approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older. In a summary decision released Thursday, Health Canada said the new vaccine shows a “significantly higher response” to the Omicron BA.1 virus compared to Moderna’s original coronavirus vaccine, officially branded Spikevax. While the updated vaccine was developed to target the Omicron BA.1 variant, Health Canada says clinical trials suggest the new vaccine still elicits a “stronger immune response” against Omicron’s more recent mutations — BA.4 and BA .5 — which is now dominant. “The results of exploratory analyzes suggest that a second boost with Spikevax Bivalent would provide a superior neutralizing antibody response against BA.4/5 compared to a second boost with Spikevax Original,” reads a portion of the decision. Health Canada also reports that “no new safety concerns have been identified in studies compared with the currently approved mRNA vaccine Spikevax.” The National Immunization Advisory Committee recommends that the updated vaccine be offered to adults who are advised to receive a booster dose. NACI says adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age with “moderate to severe immunosuppressive conditions” and those with increased social risk factors could also be offered the vaccine. WATCH: Health Canada’s chief medical advisor Dr. Supriya Sharma says the updated vaccine will be effective against Omicron
Health Canada approves Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine
Health Canada’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Supriya Sharma, says Moderna’s new bivalent vaccine will target both the old variant of COVID-19 and Omicron, the newer one. It is approved for use in Canadians 18 years of age and older. The updated vaccine is a combination of two strains, also known as “bivalent” vaccines. Contains both the original vaccine formulation and protection against the original Omicron BA.1 variant. The new Moderna vaccine will be administered in doses of 50 micrograms. Half of its content targets the original strain of the coronavirus while the other half targets Omicron. Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Howard Njoo said there will be enough doses of the updated vaccine for all adults who need a booster this fall and winter. Shipments to the provinces and territories are due to begin next week.
Vaccines for newer strains of Omicron may be coming
Both Moderna and Pfizer have developed even newer bivalent vaccines targeting the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains, but the companies have not yet submitted these products for approval by Health Canada. Njoo said that in choosing to approve Moderna’s BA.1-focused vaccine, the government looked at the tools it has now “against what could happen in the future.” “At the end of the day, we feel very comfortable with the fact that we have a good bivalent vaccine,” Njoo added. The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced its approval of bivalent vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that specifically target the latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains. Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada’s chief medical adviser, said the agency expects to receive a submission from Pfizer next week for a bivalent vaccine targeting BA.4 and BA.5. A new submission from Moderna for BA.4 and BA.5 is also expected within the next two weeks, Sharma said. A Pfizer Canada spokesperson told CBC News on Wednesday that its submission to Health Canada for a bivalent vaccine targeting BA.1 is still under review and has not yet been granted approval.
title: “Health Canada Approves Moderna S Updated Omicron Variant Vaccine Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-28” author: “Donald Jackson”
It is approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older. In a summary decision released Thursday, Health Canada said the new vaccine shows a “significantly higher response” to the Omicron BA.1 virus compared to Moderna’s original coronavirus vaccine, officially branded Spikevax. While the updated vaccine was developed to target the Omicron BA.1 variant, Health Canada says clinical trials suggest the new vaccine still elicits a “stronger immune response” against Omicron’s more recent mutations — BA.4 and BA .5 — which is now dominant. “The results of exploratory analyzes suggest that a second boost with Spikevax Bivalent would provide a superior neutralizing antibody response against BA.4/5 compared to a second boost with Spikevax Original,” reads a portion of the decision. Health Canada also reports that “no new safety concerns have been identified in studies compared with the currently approved mRNA vaccine Spikevax.” The National Immunization Advisory Committee recommends that the updated vaccine be offered to adults who are advised to receive a booster dose. NACI says adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age with “moderate to severe immunosuppressive conditions” and those with increased social risk factors could also be offered the vaccine. WATCH: Health Canada’s chief medical advisor Dr. Supriya Sharma says the updated vaccine will be effective against Omicron
Health Canada approves Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine
Health Canada’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Supriya Sharma, says Moderna’s new bivalent vaccine will target both the old variant of COVID-19 and Omicron, the newer one. It is approved for use in Canadians 18 years of age and older. The updated vaccine is a combination of two strains, also known as “bivalent” vaccines. Contains both the original vaccine formulation and protection against the original Omicron BA.1 variant. The new Moderna vaccine will be administered in doses of 50 micrograms. Half of its content targets the original strain of the coronavirus while the other half targets Omicron. Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Howard Njoo said there will be enough doses of the updated vaccine for all adults who need a booster this fall and winter. Shipments to the provinces and territories are due to begin next week.
Vaccines for newer strains of Omicron may be coming
Both Moderna and Pfizer have developed even newer bivalent vaccines targeting the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains, but the companies have not yet submitted these products for approval by Health Canada. Njoo said that in choosing to approve Moderna’s BA.1-focused vaccine, the government looked at the tools it has now “against what could happen in the future.” “At the end of the day, we feel very comfortable with the fact that we have a good bivalent vaccine,” Njoo added. The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced its approval of bivalent vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that specifically target the latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains. Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada’s chief medical adviser, said the agency expects to receive a submission from Pfizer next week for a bivalent vaccine targeting BA.4 and BA.5. A new submission from Moderna for BA.4 and BA.5 is also expected within the next two weeks, Sharma said. A Pfizer Canada spokesperson told CBC News on Wednesday that its submission to Health Canada for a bivalent vaccine targeting BA.1 is still under review and has not yet been granted approval.
