Health Canada has approved the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children aged six to 11.
Kids will receive two doses just like those 12 and older, but the dosage amounts will be cut in half.
The health agency says no serious adverse effects were observed during the clinical trial.
“The clinical trial showed that the immune response in children 6 to 11 years of age was comparable to the immune response in people 18 to 25 years of age, supporting the vaccine efficacy in this younger age group,” Health Canada said in a news release.
This is the second COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Canada for use in this younger age group.
Health Canada approved Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine in November.
Guidelines from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) say Moderna can be offered as an alternative, but the Pfizer vaccine is preferred for children aged six to 11.
NACI said while the rare risk of heart inflammation associated with the Moderna vaccine is unknown in the younger age group, it was higher for adolescents and young adults than with the Pfizer vaccine.
