Health Canada Approves New Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Omicron Subvariant

Federal health officials provide an update on Health Canada's approval of Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant of the virus. The vaccine is authorized for use in people six months of age and older.

Speaking with reporters in Ottawa are Dr. Supriya Sharma (chief medical adviser with Health Canada), Dr. Marc Berthiaume (the director of the Bureau of Medical Sciences at Health Canada), Dr. Theresa Tam (Canada’s chief public health officer), Dr. Howard Njoo (the deputy chief public health officer), and Dr. Matt Tunis, executive secretary to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, or NACI). Drs. Tam and Njoo also provide an overview of expectations for the upcoming respiratory virus season and respond to questions about the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Canada. (September 12, 2023)