Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Health Canada approves Omicron shot

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Sep, 2022 10:00 AM
  • Health Canada approves Omicron shot

OTTAWA - Health Canada has approved a new COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna that targets both the original strain of the novel coronavirus and the specific Omicron variant.

The new shots approved by Health Canada, called bivalent vaccines, are designed to recognize specific mutations in the spike protein of the Omicron BA.1 subvariant.

Shipments of the vaccine are expected to arrive in the next few days, and there will be enough supply for all Canadians 18 and older to get a dose this fall and winter, officials said.

"With the Omicron variant now circulating, we know that the existing vaccines can be less effective," said Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada's chief medical adviser, during an online news conference on Thursday.

In a decision posted on Health Canada's website, the regulator says data show the new vaccine induces a similar immune response to the original strain of the COVID-19 virus and significantly higher responses to the Omicron BA.1 variant, when compared with the earlier version of the Moderna vaccine.

The United Kingdom approved Moderna's new vaccine two weeks ago, and the United States Food and Drug Administration gave Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech's Omicron-fighting shots the green light earlier this week.

The version approved in the U.S. targets newer and more prevalent strains of the Omicron variant than the one submitted for approval in Canada.

"While the vaccine was designed to more specifically target the Omicron BA.1 subvariant, we know that this vaccine also generates a good immune response against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that have more recently emerged," Sharma said.

The Omicron variant arrived in Canada in late 2021 and has spread aggressively ever since. Subvariants of Omicron are now by far the most common strains of the virus.

The BA.5 subvariant currently represents approximately 82 per cent of the virus circulating in Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada data show. BA.4 makes up nearly 12 per cent and BA.1 represents only 0.1 per cent.

Health Canada has specifically asked Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech to request approval for vaccines that target the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, and is expecting applications from both companies within the next few weeks.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that people over the age of 18 should be offered the Omicron booster.

If the newer shot isn't available, the committee says people should instead opt for a booster shot of the original COVID-19 vaccine to ensure timely protection.

NACI generally recommends that people wait six months after their last vaccine or a COVID-19 infection before getting another shot.

The committee also says the Omicron shot should be considered for children aged 12 to 17 who are immunocompromised, though the vaccine is not approved for use in kids and the expert recommendation makes clear that the relative risks and benefits remain uncertain.

Canada has already purchased 12 million doses of Moderna's version of the Omicron vaccine,which includes converting some existing orders for the original Moderna vaccine so that the newly adapted version will be delivered instead.

Dr. Howard Njoo, the deputy chief public health officer, said shipments will start to arrive over the next few days.

"Based on provincial and territorial projections, there will be enough supply of the Moderna Spikevax bivalent COVID-19 vaccine in Canada for everyone 18 years of age and older this fall and winter," Njoo said at the press conference.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos is expected to hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to speak to the importance of getting a booster shot.

Duclos has already signalled that a swift rollout of the vaccines will be important to fend off another potentially large wave of infections in the fall.

While more than 90 per cent of adults have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in Canada, only about 59 per cent have opted for a booster dose as of Aug. 14, Public Health Agency of Canada data show.

MORE National ARTICLES

Out-of-control wildfire grows near Lytton, BC

Out-of-control wildfire grows near Lytton, BC
Crews are expected to begin planned ignitions to remove fuel between the fire and preidentified natural control lines. The blaze has destroyed at least six properties and forced more than 100 people from their homes on the west side of the Fraser River, northeast of Vancouver.

Out-of-control wildfire grows near Lytton, BC

Darpan shares behind the scenes production of the Fireworks at Honda Celebration of Light

Darpan shares behind the scenes production of the Fireworks at Honda Celebration of Light
“After a two-year hiatus, BC's most beloved event is returning with a bang!” explains Paul Runnals, Executive Producer with Brandlive. “Featuring competing teams from Japan, Canada, and Spain, live music, food trucks and the return of both the Red Bull Air Show and the iconic Canadian Snowbirds presented this year by Concord Pacific, you won't want to miss the excitement happening throughout English Bay.”

Darpan shares behind the scenes production of the Fireworks at Honda Celebration of Light

BC Ferries fires CEO amid staff shortages, service interruptions, & COVID-related challenges

BC Ferries fires CEO amid staff shortages, service interruptions, & COVID-related challenges
Mr. Mark Collins who had been appointed CEO of BC Ferries in 2017 has been fired. BC Ferries is bringing on board Jill Sharland as Interim President and CEO of BC Ferries effective immediately. 

BC Ferries fires CEO amid staff shortages, service interruptions, & COVID-related challenges

Vancouver Police investigate city's 9th homicide

Vancouver Police investigate city's 9th homicide
VPD homicide investigators believe victim Zane Ponecappo, 29, was stabbed during a confrontation near Columbia Street and East Hastings around 5 p.m. on July 9. He collapsed nearby and was taken to hospital, but died Thursday evening.

Vancouver Police investigate city's 9th homicide

Long-term COVID-19 a problem for children

Long-term COVID-19 a problem for children
The eight-country study included 1,884 kids aged 17 and younger who went to an emergency department with COVID-19 and had 90-day followups. Long-term COVID-19 was found in nearly 10 per cent of children who were admitted to hospital and five per cent of children who were seen in an emergency department and discharged.  

Long-term COVID-19 a problem for children

Heat wave continues in Eastern Canada

Heat wave continues in Eastern Canada
The current heat wave is expected to last for several days, with cooler weather expected to finally arrive Sunday evening. On the West Coast, British Columbia's Public Safety Ministry has warned of potential heat warnings beginning as early as Saturday and continuing into next week.  

Heat wave continues in Eastern Canada