Expert: Health Canada approves updated COVID-19 vaccine ahead of holidays

Amidst the onset of respiratory illnesses this flu season, Canada has fortified its defences against the persistent threat of COVID-19 with the approval of another vaccine. Health Canada on December 5 approved the updated Novavax vaccine, marking the third updated booster available to Canadians alongside those from Pfizer and Moderna. (Global News) 

Here is an expert from McGill University who can provide comment on this topic: 

Anne Gatignol, Full Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine 

“Coronavirus Omicron XBB subvariants are circulating widely across Canada. The XBB-updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer based on mRNA technology were approved in September. An XBB-updated protein-based vaccine from Novavax is now approved by Health Canada. It gives an additional option to individuals who do not want or cannot receive an mRNA vaccine.”   

Anne Gatignol is Full Professor in the Department of Medicine and an Associate Member of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She investigates virus-cell interactions to understand innate immune pathways during viral infections. Her lab also develops RNA therapies against HIV and Coronaviruses.  

anne.gatignol [at] mcgill.ca  (English, French)