BNTX BioNTech SE

By Paul Vieira

OTTAWA--Canada said Thursday the country has secured a deal with Pfizer Inc. to ensure it will have ample supply of the company's Covid-19 pediatric vaccine, produced in partnership with BioNTech SE, to provide a first dose to every eligible child in the country.

The deal is conditional on Canada's drug regulator authorizing use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on children aged 5 to 11. Pfizer submitted this week an application for Canadian authorization.

Anita Anand, Canada's procurement minister, in a statement posted on social media said the country is scheduled to receive 2.9 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for pediatric use.

"Pfizer has agreed to an accelerated delivery schedule of its pediatric vaccine once approved," Ms. Anand said.

The delivery schedule for second doses is conditional on the vaccine rollout across the country, she said.

Canada's federal government has responsibility for acquiring Covid-19 vaccines, while provincial authorities are responsible for ensuring doses are injected.

A Pfizer spokeswoman confirmed the deal, citing Ms. Anand's statement.

Data from the Canadian government indicates that 82% of people 12 and over are fully vaccinated, one of the highest rates among major developed-world economies.

Write to Paul Vieira at paul.vieira@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 21, 2021 13:26 ET (17:26 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.