Health Canada Authorizes Use of Pfizer Vaccine as a Booster Shot

A vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is pictured at an Alberta Health Services vaccination clinic in Didsbury, Alta., on June 29, 2021. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Health Canada has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be used as a booster shot for adults 18 years-old and above, saying the shot is designed to help people maintain their protection against the virus over time.

Health Canada said in a statement Tuesday that it had received a submission from Pfizer on Oct. 1 seeking approval for its COVID-19 vaccine to be used as a third or booster dose.