The booster is an updated version of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine
Health Canada has officially approved the Moderna-made Spikevax Bivalent, which is intended as a booster dose against the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The Spikevax Bivalent is an mRNA-based vaccine formulation that is the updated version of Moderna's Spikevax, the company's original COVID-19 vaccine.
In its regulatory decision summary, Health Canada said the booster is "considered favourable in individuals 18 years of age or older."
The decision follows the testing on over 800 eligible adults over 18 years of age, where 437 individuals received the Spikevax Bivalent.
"Overall, the findings indicate that the Spikevax Bivalent™ provides better immune response to the Omicron BA.1," said Health Canada in its decision, comparing it to Moderna's original coronavirus vaccine.
It added that the booster did not present any side effect that could cause safety concern for its recipients.
"No new safety concerns have been identified in studies when compared to the currently approved Spikevax mRNA vaccine," said Health Canada.
The approval follows the greenlight from other countries, the first one being UK, for the use of Moderna's vaccine shot against Omicron.
