23.01°C Vancouver

Oct 7, 2021 4:39 PM -

Pfizer to seek approval for its vaccine for kids as young as five in about a week

Share On
pfizer-to-seek-approval-for-its-vaccine-for-kids-as-young-as-five-in-about-a-week
A vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is pictured at an Alberta Health Services vaccination clinic in Didsbury, Alta., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Pfizer Canada says it is preparing to ask Health Canada to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for kids as young as five by mid-October.

The U.S. drugmaker submitted a formal request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today and the FDA intends to meet to discuss the submission on Oct. 26.

Last week Pfizer submitted data to both governments from a clinical trial on children five to 11 but hadn't formally requested authorization.

A spokeswoman for the company's Canadian arm says it is in the final stages of working with Health Canada ahead of the submission being made so kids between five and 11 can be given the shots here.

The vaccine was authorized for people at least 16 years old in December 2020 and for teenagers between 12 and 15 in May.

The dose for younger children is one-third the size given to adults and Pfizer and Health Canada have not yet said if vaccine supplies already in Canadian freezers can be adapted for use on children or if new shipments must be made.

Latest news

b-c-finance-minister-brenda-bailey-reveals-early-stage-cancer-diagnosis
BCAug 14, 2026

B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey reveals early-stage cancer diagnosis

British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has revealed that she has been diagnosed with early-stage cancer, saying doctors expect her to make a full recovery. Bailey said in a social media post that she learned about the diagnosis several weeks ago. She said she will undergo treatment this summer and expects to return to work in time for the fall legislative session. Bailey also said she is working with Premier David Eby to ensure government operations continue while she receives treatment. Eby described Bailey as a capable and important cabinet minister and wished her a speedy recovery.
groups-urge-canada-to-block-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwats-entry
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Groups Urge Canada to Block RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Entry

Leaders of several Sikh, Muslim and human rights organizations in Canada are urging the federal government to prevent RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat from entering the country. During a press conference in Ottawa, representatives of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, World Sikh Organization of Canada, Hindus for Human Rights and Justice for All Canada called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to declare Bhagwat inadmissible to Canada. New Democratic Party MP Heather McPherson also supported the demand, saying the Canadian government is moving in the wrong direction by allegedly givin
shots-fired-in-surreys-newton-neighbourhood-under-investigation
BCAug 13, 2026

Shots Fired in Surrey’s Newton Neighbourhood Under Investigation

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating a shots-fired incident in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood. Police were called at around 10:34 a.m. on August 12 after a homeowner near 76 Avenue and 124 Street reported finding what appeared to be gunshot damage to an outbuilding on the property. Frontline officers arrived minutes later and confirmed that the exterior damage had been caused by gunfire. No one was injured in the incident. Police say it is currently unknown whether the shooting was related to extortion. SPS is asking anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and witne
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Ontario Government Introduces Strict New Framework for Data Centres

The Ontario government has announced a new, stricter policy for data centres as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure continues to grow rapidly. Under the new framework, new data centres in the province will be required to pay 100 per cent of their electricity costs, while the government will not provide cash incentives to attract these projects. Premier Doug Ford’s government introduced the framework at a time when several Ontario municipalities, including Toronto and Hamilton, had been calling on the province for clearer guidelines to manage the rapid expansion of data cen
b-c-dog-owner-charged-after-woman-suffers-life-altering-injuries-in-mauling
BCAug 13, 2026

B.C. Dog Owner Charged After Woman Suffers ‘Life-Altering’ Injuries in Mauling

A dog owner in Port Moody, B.C., has been criminally charged after two large dogs allegedly mauled a woman, leaving her with serious and potentially life-altering injuries. Police were called to the Metro Vancouver community on May 20 following reports that a woman had been seriously injured in a dog attack. She was taken to hospital for treatment. While police have not released details about the full extent of her injuries, they have described them as “serious” and “life-altering.” Investigators say the two dogs had already been deemed aggressive by city officials before the incident.

Related News