The new bivalent shot targets the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants and is intended to be used as a booster dose for people 18 years of age and older.
It comes two months after Health Canada approved a bivalent booster from Moderna that targeted the Omicron BA.1 subvariant and the original strain.
Health Canada says a bivalent enhancer triggers “a strong immune response” against the two latest subvariants of Omicron, as well as the original strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The National Immunization Advisory Committee says Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are the dominant strains in circulation.
They have several key mutations from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading NACI to strongly recommend bivalent enhancers targeting Omicron.
On October 7, Health Canada approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent booster for people 12 years of age and older. It also targets the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 3, 2022.
