Health Canada approves Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine targeting latest variant
The vaccine dosing has not changed, with those 12 years and older to get one dose of 50 micrograms and those five to 11 to receive 25 mcg. Those not previously vaccinated can also receive the new vaccine, though are recommended to receive two shots of 25 mcg each.
Health Canada has approved Moderna's latest COVID-19 vaccine, designed to target the most recent virus variants, as provinces and territories gear up for their fall vaccination campaigns.
On Tuesday, the agency approved Moderna's SpikeVAX vaccine, which targets the KP.2 variant. The dosage remains the same, with those aged 12 and older receiving 50 micrograms, and children aged 5 to 11 receiving 25 micrograms. Unvaccinated individuals can also receive the updated vaccine, though they are advised to get two doses of 25 micrograms each.
As of September 3, the KP.3.1.1 variant accounted for 52% of COVID-19 cases in Canada, making it the dominant strain. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also approved Moderna’s KP.2 vaccine, noting that it offers cross-protection against the KP.3.1.1 variant. KP.3 is closely related to KP.1 and KP.2, collectively known as the "FLiRT" variants, which originated from the Omicron subvariant JN.1 that fueled a winter surge in cases.
The timeline for vaccine distribution to the provinces is still unclear. However, in August, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommended the most recent vaccines for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at higher risk of COVID-19, including people aged 65 and older, long-term care residents, pregnant individuals, those with underlying health conditions, and people from Indigenous communities.
Vaccines from Pfizer and Novavax are still pending Health Canada approval as of Tuesday.
This approval of Moderna's vaccine follows reports that multiple provinces had been instructed to withdraw and destroy remaining supplies of the previous vaccine targeting the XBB.1.5 strain. In August, Health Canada began a new regulatory process, requiring the withdrawal of XBB vaccines until the new vaccines could be released and distributed. As a result, provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec paused their vaccination campaigns in early September.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) stated that the updated vaccines would replace the current supply, and the withdrawal of the XBB vaccines was part of standard regulatory and supply management procedures, similar to the process used for annual flu vaccines. PHAC noted that it was working with provinces and territories to transition to the new vaccine, while ensuring the XBB vaccine remained available until the new one could be distributed.
