Pfizer-BioNTech's updated vaccine has been authorized to protect against recently circulating COVID-19 variants, Health Canada said Tuesday.
The federal Vaccines and Treatments Portal listed the authorization of the Comirnaty product, saying it contains an updated composition to target Omicron's KP.2 subtype.
Pfizer said the newly developed vaccine will be available at pharmacies and vaccination centres across the country “in the fall.” The company encouraged people to check with provincial and territorial officials for information on how to get it.
Last week, Health Canada approved another mRNA vaccine, Moderna's Spikevax, as well as Novavax's protein-based vaccine, called Nuvaxovid.
Early research suggests that a worrying percentage of patients who recover from COVID-19 are left with a chronic respiratory condition called pulmonary fibrosis.
Pfizer's previous vaccine targeted an older sub-variant of Omicron, XBB.1.5.
Guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends getting the COVID-19 vaccination updated this fall for high-risk groups, including adults 65 and older, people in long-term care and other congregate living settings, people with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, people in Indigenous and racialized communities, and people who are pregnant or who provide essential community services.
All other adults and children six months and older should also be eligible for the updated COVID-19 vaccination this fall, NACI said.
According to wastewater data from the Public Health Agency of Canada updated Tuesday, COVID-19 viral activity is moderate nationally, but some wastewater collection points in Yukon, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have recorded high levels of activity as of Sept. 8.
Doctors and epidemiologists say wastewater testing can help identify when respiratory viruses are spreading.
Both the latest Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved for adults and children six months and older.
Novavax is approved for adults and people aged 12 years and older.