Medicago Covifenz COVID-19 vaccine

All COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada are proven safe, effective and of high quality.

Name: Medicago Covifenz® COVID-19 vaccine

Manufacturer: Medicago Inc.

Type: plant based virus-like particle

Status: Cancelled by sponsor

Was approved for: Age 18 and older

How it was given: Injection in muscle (usually the upper arm)

Number of doses: 2 doses

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Who the vaccine was approved for

The vaccine was approved for people who are 18 years of age and older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been established.

Effectiveness

Clinical trials showed that beginning 1 week after the second dose, Medicago Covifenz® COVID-19 vaccine was:

Dosage

Medicago cancelled their authorization on March 31, 2023. The information below was accurate when the product was authorized in Canada.

The dosing schedule approved by Health Canada is to give 2 doses 21 days apart, based on evidence from clinical trials. Each dose contains 3.75 micrograms of virus-like particles (VLP) of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (original strain) and 0.25 millilitres of the AS03 adjuvant.

Your province or territory decides when people receive their doses of the vaccine.

These decisions are based on public health recommendations and the latest evidence.

Vaccine ingredients

Medicinal ingredient

Other ingredients

May contain trace amounts of polyethylene glycol, kanamycin and carbenicillin

Possible side effects

After getting vaccinated, it’s common to have temporary side effects. These can last a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

This is the body’s natural response, as it’s working hard to build protection against the disease.

Common vaccine side effects may include:

Symptoms at the injection site, such as: More general symptoms, such as:
  • redness
  • soreness
  • swelling
  • chills
  • fatigue
  • joint aches
  • headache
  • mild fever
  • muscle aches
  • nasal congestion
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • generally feeling unwell (malaise)

A severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction is rare. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

Call emergency services if you develop or witness any serious symptoms that could be an allergic reaction after vaccination.

Reporting a possible serious reaction

Contact your health care provider if you experience:

Health care providers must report possible reactions following vaccination to their local public health authority. The public health authority then reports them to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Reported allergic reactions and side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are published weekly in our Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination report.

Vaccine review, approval and monitoring

Health Canada’s independent drug review process is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigor. Our decisions are based only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective. The benefits must also outweigh any risks.

The Medicago Covifenz® COVID-19 vaccine was authorized on February 24, 2022, for use in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations. The sponsor cancelled the authorization on March 31, 2023.

Find detailed technical information such as the product monograph and the regulatory decision summary:

As COVID-19 vaccines are administered across Canada, our safety monitoring is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and provincial and territorial health authorities continue to:

Learn about the side effects we're currently monitoring.

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