Canada is the second country to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine – they described it as “safe, effective and of good quality.”

As the UK is now administering the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech, Canada has become the latest country to approve it.

Health Canada released a statement in which they state it is a “critical milestone” after authorising the approval.

The initial doses are expected to be delivered next week and by the end of December, the country is set to receive up to 249,000 doses, enough to vaccinate 124,500 people.

They are to receive four million doses by the end of March. Canada has bought 20 million doses with the option to purchase 56 million more, SkyNews reports.

Once on the market, officials stated they will “monitor closely the safety of the vaccine and will not hesitate to take action if any safety concerns are identified.”

Canada will allow people over 16 to have the vaccine but does not rule out administering it to the young people under 16. It may be extended to young people once “clinical trials on children of all age groups” are completed.

Similarly to the UK, the most vulnerable people will be prioritised as well as the doctors and carers who look after them – with the vaccine administered for free across the country.

Health Canada has published a summary of the evidence that has been reviewed over the past two months in order to ease concerns about the vaccine’s rapid approval.

They stress in their statement: “Canadians can feel confident that the review process was rigorous and that we have strong monitoring systems in place.

You can read how the vaccine works and who can have it in the UK here.

 

Words: Sam Tabahriti | Subbing: Monika Groening