Pfizer’s updated COVID-19 vaccine approved, Health Canada says

Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated vaccine to protect against a recently circulating COVID-19 variant is authorized, Health Canada said on Tuesday.

The federal vaccine and treatment portal lists authorization of the product Comirnaty, saying it includes an updated composition to target the KP.2 subvariant of Omicron.

Pfizer said the newly formulated vaccine will be available in pharmacies and vaccination centres across the country “in the fall.” The company encouraged people to check with provincial and territorial authorities on how to access it. 

Last week, Health Canada approved another mRNA vaccine, Moderna’s Spikevax, as well as Novavax’s protein-based vaccine, called Nuvaxovid.

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Early research suggests a concerning percentage of recovered COVID-19 patients have been left with a chronic respiratory condition called pulmonary fibrosis.

Pfizer’s previous vaccine targeted an earlier subvariant of Omicron called XBB.1.5. 

Both the latest Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved for adults and for children six months of age and older.

Novavax is approved for adults and those aged 12 years and up.