Health Canada approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 6 to 11

Health Canada has approved the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of six and 11 years old.

The vaccine, branded Spikevax, was recently cleared for use among kids in the same age group in Australia and the European Union.

Last year, the company said its two-dose, mRNAvaccine generated virus-neutralizing antibodies in children agedsix to 11 years old and safety was comparable to that seen in clinical trials of adolescents and adults.

The dosing schedule approved by Health Canada is to give the two doses a100 microgramdose each for ages12 and older, and a half-doseeach for ages 6 to 11 one month apart.

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The shot is also approved as a booster dose for adults 18 and up.

Canada authorized Moderna's vaccine for adolescents back in August.