HALIFAX, Canada (AP) – Canadian health officials approved Pfizer’s children’s COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, announcing they will allow Canadians returning from short trips abroad to use a faster diagnostic test and less expensive to detect the coronavirus.
The Health Canada agency has authorized the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11. And, as in the United States, the doses will be one-third of the dose applied to adolescents and adults.
However, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that the country’s provinces, which are the national health care providers, apply the two doses at least eight weeks apart.
In the United States, children aged 5 to 11 receive the two doses three weeks apart, just like everyone else. Canada struggled to get vaccines in earlier this year and delayed the second dose to adults until more supplies were delivered. But Canadian officials said extending the time to administer the second vaccine increased protection.
“A longer interval between doses creates stronger immunity,” said Howard Njoo, deputy director of public health for Canada.
The government agency said the vaccine is 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children and no serious side effects have been identified.
“After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the Department has determined that the benefits of this vaccine in children 5 to 11 years of age outweigh the risks,” Health Canada said in a statement.
The agency also noted that Canadians and permanent residents returning from the United States or other countries after trips of less than 72 hours will no longer be required to submit a negative PCR test upon their return. A rapid antigen test will suffice from November 30.
The PCR test will continue to be required of those who have taken long trips abroad and travelers who have their complete immunization schedule from the United States and other countries, although the Minister of Health of Canada , Jean-Yves Duclos, said the authorities that they will soon update this situation for the Americans.
“It’s very important. I’m glad they make it easier,” said Sandy Pearce, who lives in Fort Erie, Ont., And wants to travel with less hassle in New York State to help her parents. 90 years old.
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