QUEBEC'S MEDICAGO COVID-19 VACCINE APPROVED FOR USE BY HEALTH CANADA

By Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada: The first made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine, which is also the first plant-based vaccine, has been officially approved by Health Canada.

The unique formulation by Quebec City-based Medicago appeared Thursday morning in the federal agency's list of federally approved vaccines. Health Canada later put out a statement explaining its findings.

The company's vaccine is known as Covifenz, and a two-dose regimen has been authorized for use in people aged 18 to 64.

The clinical trials showed the Medicago vaccine was "71 per cent effective against symptomatic infection and 100 per cent effective against severe disease caused by COVID-19," Health Canada wrote.

In a news release, Medicago said it's already working on manufacturing and distribution to fulfill its home country's order.

“We appreciate Health Canada’s timely review,” said CEO Takashi Nagao, also thanking the government for its support in developing the vaccine.