Ottawa awaits submission for Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year olds in mid-October

Health Canada expects to receive a submission from Pfizer for approval of its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 by mid-October.

This is what the D^re Supriya Sharma, Chief Medical Advisor for Health Canada, at a press conference Friday.

Pfizer has completed its clinical studies for childhood immunizations and has submitted its raw data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, but has not yet submitted a formal submission.

The D^re Sharma said Health Canada is expected to receive the raw data in turn early next week and will have to wait a few more days before obtaining the formal submission from Pfizer in turn.

“We expect it to probably arrive before mid-October,” she said.

The D^re Sharma did not want to come up with a timeline for the approval of Pfizer’s vaccine for children, which has a lower dose and a different formulation.

She maintains that Health Canada will only allow it if it is safe for this age group.

Moderna is also preparing a vaccine that can be given to 5 to 11 year olds.

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