Canadian-made COVID-19 vaccine Medicago Inc. was approved by Health Canada for use for people 18 to 64 years of age on Thursday..Dr. Supriya Sharma, Canada’s Chief Medical Advisor, addressed Canadians in a Thursday live update on the authorization of Medicago (Covifenz) COVID-19 vaccine..“This is the first authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by a Canadian company,” said Sharma..“After an in-depth review of the evidence, we’ve determined this vaccine meets the department’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.”.Sharma said Canadians can be assured Health Canada conducted a “thorough review” of the vaccine to ensure it is manufactured to “high-quality standards and that the scientific data available to support the safety and efficacy of the vaccine meet the Canadian standards.”.Based on clinical trials of about 30,000 people, Sharma said the vaccine showed 71% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% efficacy against severe disease from the virus. Results are based on the recommended administering of the two doses 21 days apart..Sharma included a website where more information is available on the newly approved inoculation and all other COVID-19 vaccines in use in Canada..Medicago — the sixth COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada — is made of proteins in the form of virus-like particles (VLP) from plants, according to information on the Canadian government’s vaccine information website..The VLP resembles the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and causes the body to produce “both antibodies and immune cells that recognize the virus, helping to prevent you from getting COVID-19 entirely or limiting how sick you become” from the virus..The website said the two-dose vaccine “may not fully protect all those who receive it” and encourages the continued following of any recommendations from local public health officials..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
Canadian-made COVID-19 vaccine Medicago Inc. was approved by Health Canada for use for people 18 to 64 years of age on Thursday..Dr. Supriya Sharma, Canada’s Chief Medical Advisor, addressed Canadians in a Thursday live update on the authorization of Medicago (Covifenz) COVID-19 vaccine..“This is the first authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by a Canadian company,” said Sharma..“After an in-depth review of the evidence, we’ve determined this vaccine meets the department’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.”.Sharma said Canadians can be assured Health Canada conducted a “thorough review” of the vaccine to ensure it is manufactured to “high-quality standards and that the scientific data available to support the safety and efficacy of the vaccine meet the Canadian standards.”.Based on clinical trials of about 30,000 people, Sharma said the vaccine showed 71% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% efficacy against severe disease from the virus. Results are based on the recommended administering of the two doses 21 days apart..Sharma included a website where more information is available on the newly approved inoculation and all other COVID-19 vaccines in use in Canada..Medicago — the sixth COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada — is made of proteins in the form of virus-like particles (VLP) from plants, according to information on the Canadian government’s vaccine information website..The VLP resembles the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and causes the body to produce “both antibodies and immune cells that recognize the virus, helping to prevent you from getting COVID-19 entirely or limiting how sick you become” from the virus..The website said the two-dose vaccine “may not fully protect all those who receive it” and encourages the continued following of any recommendations from local public health officials..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
