Canada has finally approved a COVID-19 vaccine for its youngest population.
Health Canada has authorized the use of the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for babies as young as six months and children up to five years.
Provincial governments will decide how to roll it out, but the agency said about 1.7-million children would be eligible.
The regiment is two doses, four weeks apart. It's about a quarter of an adult dose and half the amount for children six to 11 years.
Health Canada said the vaccine has proven effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. Test subjects tolerated it well, and the agency determined the benefits outweighed any risks. Under the terms and conditions for authorizing the shot, Moderna will need to update Health Canada on safety and efficacy for the younger age group.
Health Canada received the application from Moderna at the end of April and is still reviewing an application from Pfizer.
The U.S. approved both vaccines for children six months to five years last month.
