THUNDER BAY - A second vaccine for COVID-19 will soon be available to Canadians after Health Canada authorizes the use of the Moderna vaccine.
Health Canada announced the authorization of the U.S.-based company’s COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday and follows an independent review of the safety and quality requirements that began on Oct. 12.
“Today’s authorization is a critical step in ensuring additional COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Canadians in all parts of the country,” a statement on Health Canada’s website reads.
“The different storage and handling requirements of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine mean that it can be distributed to isolated and remote communities, including the territories.”
This is the second COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada. Earlier this month, the Pfizer vaccine was given authorization and immunizations have already begun in Canada, including Thunder Bay on Tuesday.
The Pfizer vaccine requires storage at -70 degrees, while the Moderna vaccine can be stored at -20 degrees.
Public health officials and the provincial government said more immunizations will be able to take place with the Moderna vaccine because it can be more easily transported and stored.
Much like the Pfizer vaccine, those immunized with Moderna will also require two separate doses one month apart.
The Moderna vaccine is approved for individuals over the age of 18, as its effectiveness in people under 18 has not been established. Additional studies are underway to determine its effectiveness in youth.
The federal government stated last week that up to 168,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected to arrive by the end of the year. According to a statement by Premier Doug Ford, 53,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been allocated for Ontario and will be delivered before the end of the month.
"As we move forward in the first phase of our three-phase vaccine implementation plan to keep Ontarians safe, the Moderna vaccine will support our ability to protect frontline health care workers and residents in long-term care homes and retirement homes, as well as adults in Indigenous populations," Ford said.
"Moderna and Pfizer doses will continue to be delivered and administered in January and we expect increasing numbers of doses through to March and beyond. Phase Two is expected to begin this spring when Ontario receives more of the ordered doses of vaccine from both Pfizer and Moderna, and potentially other vaccines, as they go through clinical trials and approvals. General Rick Hillier and the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force are ready to distribute these vaccines as soon as the province receives them."
