FDA approves kids' COVID-19 vaccine in U.S.; Canada likely close behind

Canada is watching the U.S. Food and Drug Administration closely now that it has approved Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11.

The FDA approved the vaccine for emergency use on Friday afternoon, citing data that shows the shot is 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in children and there have been no serious side-effects.

The FDA advisory committee recommended in favour of approving the vaccine after hours of testimony from experts Tuesday.

Health Canada officials attended that meeting and are watching the process in the U.S. carefully as Canada makes its own decision about the pediatric vaccine.

“Those deliberations and the discussions will be inputs into our review as well,” said chief Health Canada medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma at a briefing Friday.