Health Canada has authorized the use of the Moderna SPIKEVAX™ COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people six months of age and older.

Health Canada received Moderna’s submission for its new COVID-19 vaccine on June 29, 2023. After a thorough, independent review of the evidence, Health Canada has determined that the vaccine meets the Department’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.

According to the product label, individuals five years of age and older should receive one dose, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination history. Children between six months and four years of age should receive two doses if they have not been previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose if they have been previously vaccinated with one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Health Canada is also actively reviewing submissions from Pfizer-BioNTech seeking authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people six months of age and older. In addition, Health Canada has received a submission from Novavax for their COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people 12 years and older. These submissions are being reviewed on a priority basis by dedicated scientific teams.

Vaccination continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves against COVID-19. Evidence indicates that all of the vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Since vaccine protection decreases over time, if it has been six months since your last dose, vaccination with the new formulation of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to provide better protection against variants of concern.

  • MapleEngineer@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    I had the OG Covid (in December 2019 before is was cool and everyone started doing it), Astra-Zeneca, Moderna, two Pfizers, Omicron, and a Pfizer bivalent. I’ll be getting this one as soon as I’m eligible.

  • willybe@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    Health Canada says:

    Starting in fall 2023, it’s recommended that you get an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose if it’s been at least 6 months:

    • since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or
    • since you last had COVID-19 (whichever happened later)

    I got my vaccination last month, so I will get this at the end of February 2024

    • orbitz@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      I checked earlier this year on BC’s site and they were only recommending at risk people to get their 4th shot, curious if that changed or they were trying to ration current stock. Felt off cause everything else I read recommended 6 months but there wasn’t an open sign up from what I saw like the earlier shots.

  • Inky@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    Too bad I just had my second round of COVID at the end of August. If this booster had been available a couple of months earlier maybe I would have been able to prevent it! Thankfully because of the vaccines both times I’ve had it were mild

  • TemporaryBoyfriend@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    It makes way more sense for this to be released in late August, before the return to school and after summer vacations… Anyone know why it’s so late arriving / getting approved?