Health Canada gives OK to Pfizer booster for kids aged 5 to 11

Health Canada has approved a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids between the ages of five and 11.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, made the announcement Friday morning.

Tam noted the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended the booster should be given to kids aged five to 11 who have an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe illness due to COVID. That includes kids who are immunocompromised.

NACI’s advice says all other children in that age group may also be offered a booster.

The 10-microgram Pfizer booster should be administered at least six months after the children complete their primary series of vaccinations.

“This booster dose provides a great option to restore protection for this age group, especially for those who are at high risk of severe illness,” Tam told reporters.

Vaccine uptake in that age group is much lower than in all older demographics, with 42 per cent of kids aged five to 11 vaccinated with two doses.

The vaccine rate in every older demographic is higher than 83 per cent.

However, booster uptake among teenagers is also quite low, with fewer than one in five teens aged 12 to 17 receiving a booster eight months after NACI authorized them to get one.

— With files from The Canadian Press