Canada has authorised the use of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15.
It is the first country to do so for that age group.
The country’s health ministry made the decision based on data from phase three clinical trials on children that age.
“The department determined that this vaccine is safe and effective when used in this younger age group,” an adviser at the ministry said. Pfizer says its jab works well in the age group.
Canada has already authorised the use of the Pfizer vaccine in people over 16.
The country has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and roughly 20% of those have been in people under the age of 19.
Children’s risk of becoming very ill or dying with Covid-19 is tiny, and throughout the pandemic they have very rarely needed hospital treatment.
