Health Canada Authorizes Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine in Young Children

Moderna announced on July 14, 2022 that Health Canada has approved the use of its messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine SPIKEVAX for use in young children aged six months to five years. Prior to this authorization, children under five were the only age group not yet eligible in Canada for vaccination against COVID-19.

The vaccination is given in two doses completed in one month, the same as the primary dosing schedule as adults, adolescents, and children over five years of age. Health Canada previously approved the use of SPIKEVAX in individuals six years of age and older in March 2022.

"Since the pandemic began, we have worked with a deep sense of responsibility to deliver on the promise of mRNA science for Canadians," said Patricia Gauthier, president and general manager, Moderna Canada, in a press release. "This decision from Health Canada confirms the effectiveness and safety of Moderna's vaccine in this final and important age group. With this announcement, parents and caregivers now have an option to protect these very young children, a group at high risk of infection and where additional health prevention measures [such as] wearing masks may not always be feasible."