Health Canada authorizes use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11

Health Canada has authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11 years of age.

This is the first COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Canada for use in this age group and marks a major milestone in Canada’s fight against COVID-19.

The Department has determined that the benefits of this vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years of age outweigh the risks.

The vaccine was 90.7% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children 5 to 11 years of age and no serious side effects were identified.