NACI approves Pfizer vaccine for youth 12 to 15 years old

By Lucas Casaletto

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is confirming they believe it is safe and effective to offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to adolescents.

Health Canada authorized Pfizer for kids between 12 and 15 years old on May 5, after the company completed a clinical trial which found it was safe and 100 percent effective at preventing kids in that age group from getting COVID-19.

“NACI is recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age,” said NACI chair Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh.

“This recommendation follows Health Canada’s recent authorization for individuals 12 to 15 years of age and Phase 3 clinical trials showing 100% efficacy for preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in this age group and similar rates of reactions compared to adults based on follow-up from the trial to date.”

NACI’s advice comes after most provinces have already added the age group to their vaccination plans.

Manitoba began allowing kids that age to book appointments this week and Ontario plans to open up vaccinations to youth under 18 years old by the end of the month.

Most other provinces are working on expanding to that age group as well.

NACI’s decision to approve the shot for youth comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the country is slated to receive a combined 21 million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine from June through July.

Trudeau said Canada is expecting nine million doses of Pfizer’s treatment in July; a significant increase to the recent shipment of two million shots that arrived last week.

Prior to July, Canada is anticipating another shipment of twelve million Pfizer doses in June, which is separate from what the Prime Minister announced today.

Shipments will range from 2 to 2.5 million doses of Pfizer per week starting from the beginning of June to the end of July.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today