National

Health Canada greenlights updated Moderna booster

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2022 03:52 PM

OTTAWA - Health Canada has authorized an updated version of Moderna's COVID-19 booster vaccine.

The new bivalent shot targets the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants and is meant to be used as a booster dose for those aged 18 years and older.

(3/4) After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, Health Canada has determined that the bivalent Moderna Spikevax booster is safe and effective.
— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) November 3, 2022

It comes two months after Health Canada authorized a bivalent booster from Moderna that targeted the Omicron BA.1 subvariant and the original strain.

Health Canada says a bivalent booster triggers "a strong immune response" against both of the more recent Omicron subvariants,as well as the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strains.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are the dominant strains in circulation.

They feature several key mutations from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading NACI to strongly recommend bivalent boosters that target Omicron.

On Oct. 7, Health Canada authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech's bivalent booster for people aged 12 and older. It also targets the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Recall against B.C. politician Harwinder Sandhu fails: Elections BC

The British Columbia recall petition launched against Harwinder Sandhu, the member of the legislature for Vernon-Monashee, was a failure. Elections BC says in a statement the recall petition was not submitted by the Oct. 11 deadline under the Recall and Initiative Act.

Recall against B.C. politician Harwinder Sandhu fails: Elections BC

Aritzia earnings rise on online, in-person sales

Retail experts have said Aritzia has successfully developed a faithful customer base in recent years, and that momentum is expected to continue. They said Aritzia is somewhere between luxury and fast-fashion, selling to middle-class and upper-middle-class consumers. Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group said the brand is seen as “aspirational” to many shoppers.

Aritzia earnings rise on online, in-person sales

Smith's comments on unvaccinated laughable: Horgan

Horgan, who will step down as B.C. premier later this year, made the comment in an interview with C-FAX Radio in Victoria. Danielle Smith was sworn in yesterday as Alberta's new premier after the United Conservative Party elected her in a leadership race to replace Jason Kenney as leader and premier.

Smith's comments on unvaccinated laughable: Horgan

Deaths of B.C. homeless people up by 75% in 2021

A preliminary report released by the service shows there were 247 deaths of people experiencing homelessness last year. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says many homeless people are facing significant health concerns, including physical disabilities, mental-health challenges and substance-use issues.

Deaths of B.C. homeless people up by 75% in 2021

A male suspect assaulted a taxi driver with a beer bottle, Coquitlam RCMP need public's help in identifying the suspect

Coquitlam Front-line officers attended the area of Sunnyside Road and East Road in Anmore after a male suspect assaulted a taxi driver with a beer bottle. The male suspect hit the glass partition inside the taxi causing the glass to shattered.

A male suspect assaulted a taxi driver with a beer bottle, Coquitlam RCMP need public's help in identifying the suspect

Teen stabbed multiple times in fight over vape pen

Several witnesses reported seeing two people fighting near a bus stop at Dunbar and West 41st Avenue around 8:30 p.m. When VPD officers responded, they located a 17-year-old suffering from a number of life-threatening wounds. The victim was bleeding profusely, and a VPD officer applied pressure to the wounds to stem the bleeding.