OTTAWA: Health authorities Canada has approved an adapted version of the Moderna Spikevax Covid-19 vaccine which targets the original SARS-CoV-2 virus from 2019 and the Omicron (BA.1) variant.
This vaccination, referred to as a "bivalent" vaccine, is permitted for use as a booster dose in anyone aged 18 or older, the government stated in a statement released on Thursday.
The bivalent Moderna Spikevax booster is safe and effective with the same modest adverse responses that immediately subsided, according to the regulator, which also noted that this is the first bivalent Covid-19 vaccine authorised in Canada.
According to clinical trial findings, the bivalent Moderna Spikevax vaccine boosts the immune system's defences against both Omicron (BA.1) and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain.
Health department Canada said, it was also identified to provide a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants and is anticipated to lengthen the duration of protection. It also called the approval a “milestone” moment in a press release immediately after the authorization, and said the bivalent booster triggers a “strong” immune response against the original strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 as well as BA.1, the original Omicron variant.
The bivalent booster will be in line with the dose given in boosters thus far because it will be half the dose given in the first doses of the vaccine, per the medication authorisation listing.
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