Health Canada has approved Pfizer’s Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for children between five and 11-years old.
It’s the first vaccine to be approved for children in that age group.
Health Canada made the announcement Friday morning, saying the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks in children.
The approved doses are one-third the strength of doses for people 12 and older.
Health Canada said studies showed the vaccine is about 91 per cent effective at preventing COVID in kids 5 to 11, and “no serious side effects were identified.”
Premier Caroline Cochrane and Health Minister Julie Green said the vaccine approval was “an important moment” in fighting COVID-19.
They also said having children vaccinated will help bring the ongoing outbreak in the territory under control and make schools safer.
