New vaccine against COVID-19 approved in Canada
The country already recognizes six drugs.
On February 17, Health Canada approved another vaccine against COVID-19, Novavax's Nuvaxovid. The drug is approved for people over the age of 18 and is administered in two doses, 21 days apart.
Clinical trials of Nuvaxovid have shown 90% efficacy in preventing disease and 100% efficacy in preventing severe disease. Preliminary data also show efficacy of the vaccine against the Omicron strain.
This is the fifth COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Canada. In addition, the following drugs are used in the country:
- Pfizer;
- Moderna;
- AstraZeneca;
- Johnson & Johnson;
- Covaxin;
- Sinopharm;
- Sinovac.
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada say they will continue to monitor the safety of the Nuvaxovid vaccine when it comes on the market so they can take action if any problems are identified.
