COVID-19: Pfizer’s bivalent booster.Health Canada announced Friday it has approved the updated shot, which has been designed to target Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that are the dominant strains circulating in the nation at the moment.It has been approved as a booster shot for Canadians ages 12 and older, and to be given at least three to six months following either the required two doses for full vaccination, or a booster shot.
It is to be given in a 30 microgram dose. Omicron’s BQ.1.1 COVID-19 sub-variant. Why experts are watching it The booster shot is the second bivalent vaccine to get federal approval after Moderna’s modified booster was authorized for use last month.Pfizer’s shot also targets the original Omicron strain, Health Canada said in its regulatory approval.
It said the BA.4 and BA.5 shot was authorized based on safety data obtained in clinical studies involving Pfizer’s first COVID-19 vaccine and original Omicron booster.
Health Canada found the shot to provide “significantly higher responses” to the original Omicron virus when compared to Pfizer’s first vaccine.