CDC endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’s vote to expand eligibility and update CDC’s recommendations for booster doses. Per CDC, all children ages 5 through 11 years should now receive a booster vaccine 5 months after completing their primary series. Children ages 5 through 11 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a booster 3 months after completing their primary series. CDC continues to recommend a booster for children and adolescents ages 12 through 17. Only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children 5 through 17 years old. Parents with questions are encouraged to talk to their child’s health care provider to learn more about the booster, and the importance of keeping children up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine administration standing orders have been updated online to reflect these changes.
In addition, CDC strengthened its COVID-19 vaccination guidance to recommend that everyone ages 50 years and older who received any COVID-19 booster dose—as well as everyone ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised—receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Previously, CDC had encouraged these populations to consider receiving a second booster dose based on their individual circumstances. However, over the past few weeks, CDC has observed a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans. Another COVID-19 booster dose could help restore protection that may wane over time.
Thank you for everything that you have done and are continuing to do to ensure everyone has access to COVID-19 vaccines. More information for you and the public can always be found at MOStopsCovid.com.
Missouri COVID-19 Vaccine Team
