B.C. preparing to offer COVID-19 vaccine to 6- to 11-year-olds once approved

British Columbia is “actively getting ready” to supply the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to kids aged six to 11, if and when it receives Well being Canada approval.

Provincial well being officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stated Tuesday there may be optimism round approvals as section two and section three research are ending up.

The knowledge from the research might be a part of information package deal being submitted over the following few weeks on how effectively the vaccines work and the way secure they’re, Henry stated.

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Research finds Pfizer vaccine secure and efficient for youngsters 5 to 11 years-old

“I feel that’s superb information,” she advised a information convention.

“That provides us only one extra software to have the ability to defend youthful kids in opposition to this virus.”

However she was reluctant to place a timeline on when kids could also be eligible for the shot. In earlier statements, Henry has pointed wherever from the autumn to the tip of 2021.

On Monday, Pfizer stated its analysis reveals its product works for youngsters aged 5 to 11 and that it’s going to search U.S. authorization for this age group quickly.

However Henry stated Tuesday they’re taking a look at kids between six and 11 being eligible.

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Pfizer says their vaccine works for youngsters 5-11

Well being Canada has stated a number of research on kids are underway by varied vaccine makers, and that it expects them to supply information within the subsequent few months.

Pfizer studied a decrease dose of its two-dose vaccine in additional than 2,200 kindergartners and elementary school-aged youngsters, principally in america and Europe.

Making ready the vaccine at a decrease dose might have some logistical challenges, nevertheless.

“We do know that there could also be some delays earlier than the manufacturing course of,” Henry stated.

“This implies the vaccine might be obtainable to kids in B.C., however we’re getting ready in order that we’re prepared to supply it and we’ve got the entire data that folks might want to make these choices about whether or not their kids must be immunized, and I feel this might be crucial, particularly as we’re into the varsity 12 months once more.”

– with recordsdata from the Canadian Press

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