Manitoba keeping eye on Pfizer vaccine for youth news; prepared for future decision
Pfizer said Monday its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11, and while they haven’t applied to Health Canada for approval, Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force’s medical lead said the province will be ready to administer vaccines to the age group.
“They’re signalling [approval] could occur in the very near future,” Dr. Joss Reimer said on Monday’s media conference.
Reimer said it was encouraging to see antibody levels and immune responses were similar to older age groups, despite using a lower dosage of the Pfizer vaccine. She added while Pfizer hasn’t provided specific data, there haven’t been any safety concerns beyond previous trials.
Health Canada has already approved the Pfizer vaccine for teenagers as young as 12.
“We’re planning to be ready in the case they do approve it in the very near future,” Reimer said.
Reimer said the task force is looking at different options in order to provide that dose upon approval, which could include school-based immunizations.
“Schools are absolutely one of the things we’re looking at as we get to younger kids,” Reimer said. “It can be a bit more challenging to offer immunizations in schools, so we’re trying to work through some of the logistics.”
Reimer said the task force is working with schools and public health teams to determine if it is feasible to have parents could accompany children when they receive their vaccines. She said they are also looking at alternative settings.
“Regardless of whether or not we offer it in schools, we will still have medical clinics, our pharmacies, and, in more remote settings, our public health teams would be offering the vaccine to younger children once it’s improved,” Reimer said.
Reimer said the province ran a vaccine clinic in a Northern Health Region school last week and said it went well. She added around 20 schools in the province will run vaccine clinics this week, but didn’t specify where.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.