The Canadian government officially approved Pfizer's vaccine on Wednesday for use in Canada, with limited rollout set to begin to priority groups “within days” and vaccination of the general population anticipated to start in April.

Chief medical advisor with the regulatory branch of Health Canada Dr. Supriya Sharma stressed that the approval of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine came after a rigorous review of clinical trial data, and emphasized that the health agency authorized the drug after finding no serious safety concerns and Canadians should "absolutely" feel comfortable getting it.

She said, however, the only people who should not get the vaccine are individuals who have had previous allergic reactions to any of the listed ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine.

She also discussed the vaccine's potential side effects, stressing the rate of serious adverse reactions during trials was very low and any mild side effects, like fatigue and headaches, were short-lived. Sharma emphasized Pfizer will be required to carefully monitor any adverse reactions to its vaccine as it begins being rolled out in Canada, and to inform regulators of any such reactions.

Major-General Dany Fortin, head of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution team, said that all related parties across Canada have been taking the necessary steps and measures to ensure the quality of the vaccine distribution process.

He showcased a “data logger” device that’s used to keep logs of all vaccine shipment activities from the source to the point of use to ensure the quality and low-temperature requirements are met at all times.

Over 100 participants from the federal, provincial and territorial governments will participate in a rehearsal of concept this Friday led by the National Operation Centre of Public Health agency ahead of the beginning of Pfizer’s vaccine distribution across the country.

MORE: https://globalnews.ca/news/7510755/pfizer-vaccine-approval-canada/

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