Paul Junor
The announcement of the extension of Ontario stay-at-home order until June 2nd and the continued closure of schools has given the government time to look ahead.
Premier Ford stated at a news conference, “Make no mistake we’re not out of the woods yet. As much as we’re seeing a decline, which is good, everyone is moving forward, we’re getting the vaccines into people’s arms, but we just can’t risk it. Just hang in there, we’re aren’t asking a lot, just a couple more weeks,”
At the press conference, Premier Ford made the official announcement that children will be eligible to receive vaccination. He stated, “Starting May 31, youth between 12 and 17 years of age and their family members who have not received the vaccine will be able to book an appointment to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.”
There has been four vaccines that have been authorized to be used against COVID-19 vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca. Health Canada authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as being safe for children who are 12 years and older. Initially, it had allowed it for children 16 years of age and older and now it approved it for those 12 – 15. Dr Supriya Sharma states, “After completing a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the department concluded that this vaccine is safe and effective in this younger age group.”
On the basis of results of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Phase 3 clinical trials, which involved 2260 children between the ages of 12 to 15, it is reported that the vaccine is safe. In addition, these adolescents can receive identical dose regimens as adults. Pfizer-BioNTech released a press release, which announced positive topline results of pivotal COVID-19 Vaccine Study in adolescents. This study – which was done in the U.S involving children aged 12 -15 – found that the vaccine, BNT162b2 demonstrated, “100% efficacy and robust antibody responses, exceeding those reported in trials of vaccinated 16-25 years participants in an earlier analysis, and was well tolerated.”(www,businesswire.com/news/home/20210331005503/en)
Albert Bouria,CEO and Chairman of Pfizer stated in the news release, “We plan to submit these data to FDA as a proposed amendment to our Emergency Use Authorization in the coming weeks and to other regulators around the world, with the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year.”
In order to ally the fears and concerns of parents/caregivers and guardians, Dr. Sharma reports, “While younger people are less likely to experience serious cases of COVID-19, having access to a safe and effective vaccine will help control the disease’s spread to their family and friends, some of whom may be at higher risk of complications. It will also support the return to a more normal life for our children who have had such a hard time over the past year.”
It was announced by federal officials that Canada was the first country to authorize this vaccine for children, but a Pfizer spokesperson stated that Algeria was the first country. Pfizer Canada ULC and BioNTech SE released a statement, “Today’s expansion of our authorization represents a significant step forward in helping the Canadian government broaden its vaccination program and begin to help protect adolescents before the start of the next school year.” It is interesting that the U.S study was the basis of Health Canada’s approval and that those who participated in the trial will be monitored for long-term protection and safety for up to two years after they receive their second dose.
