OTTAWA: The first doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Canada.
These are part of the 168,000 doses that Canada will be getting in a few days’ time, and part of the 40 million doses guaranteed from Moderna overall.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “This is another big step in our national vaccine rollout. But it doesn’t mean we can let up just yet. The vaccine won’t help you if you get sick now. So keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, and avoiding gatherings – and download and use #COVIDAlert.
Canada’s Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu said: “The first doses of the Moderna vaccine are being distributed to provinces and territories this week, including Yukon and Northwest Territories (- beginning December 30). “This is great news for remote and northern communities,” she tweeted.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) is used to prevent COVID-19. The vaccine is approved for people who are 18 years of age and older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been established.
The Moderna vaccine is manufactured by Moderna Therapeutics Inc. Health Canada authorized this vaccine with conditions on December 23, 2020, under the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sales and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19.
mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that will trigger an immune response without using the live virus that causes COVID-19. Once triggered, the body then makes antibodies.
The vaccine is given by injection (0.5 mL) into the muscle of the arm. For the vaccine to work best, you need to get 2 doses: a single dose and then a second dose one month apart.
Health Canada said: “Based on studies in about 30,000 participants, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 2 weeks after the second dose. This means that people may not be fully protected against COVID-19 until at least 14 days after the second dose.”
Health Canada has conducted a rigorous scientific review of the available medical evidence to assess the safety of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. No major safety concerns have been identified in the data reviewed.
Health Canada will continue to review all the available safety data as it becomes available.
•••••
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Tozinameran or BNT162b2) has been approved for people who are 16 years of age and older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 16 years of age have not yet been established.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is manufactured by Pfizer Canada ULC and BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH. Health Canada authorized this vaccine with conditions on December 9, 2020, Based on studies in about 44,000 participants, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective.