CDC Panel Recommends Pfizer COVID Boosters for Ages 12-15

Jan. 5, 2022 – A CDC advisory panel at the moment advisable that 12- to 17-year-olds within the U.S. ought to get the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot 5 months after a major collection of vaccinations.

The CDC had already mentioned 16- and 17-year-olds “may” obtain a Pfizer booster however at the moment’s suggestion provides the 12-15 group and strengthens the “may” to “should” for 16- and 17-year-olds.

The committee voted 13-1 to advocate the booster for ages 12-17.

The vote comes after the FDA on Monday approved the Pfizer vaccine booster dose for 12- to 15-year-olds.

The FDA motion up to date the authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, and the company additionally shortened the advisable time between a second dose and the booster to five months or extra (from 6 months). A 3rd major collection dose can also be now approved for sure immunocompromised kids between 5 and 11 years outdated. Full particulars can be found in an FDA information launch.

The CDC on Tuesday additionally backed the shortened time-frame and a 3rd major collection dose for some immunocompromised kids 5 to 11 years outdated. But the CDC delayed a choice on a booster for 12- to 15-year-olds till it heard from its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the moment.

The choice got here as faculty districts nationwide are wrestling with selections of whether or not to maintain faculties open or revert to a digital format as instances surge, and as pediatric COVID-19 instances and hospitalizations attain new highs.