The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) immunization advisory committee has approved Pfizer COVID-19 booster doses for children aged 5 to 11.
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made the decision at its meeting on May 19, clearing the way for children in that age group to get a booster five months after their initial Pfizer shot series. The initial, two-shot Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently approved for ages 5 through 17.
“Vaccination with a primary series among [children aged 5 to 11] has lagged behind other age groups leaving them vulnerable to serious illness,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a statement following the committee meeting. “With over 18 million doses administered in this age group, we know that these vaccines are safe, and we must continue to increase the number of children who are protected. I encourage parents to keep their children up to date with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.”
CDC also said it was “strengthening” its recommendation that people eligible for a second booster should get that shot: everyone 50 and older, or 12 and older and immunocompromised. They should receive that shot four months after their first booster, CDC said.
“Whether it is your first booster, or your second, if you haven’t had a vaccine dose since the beginning of December 2021 and you are eligible, now is the time to get one,” the agency said.
Last Updated On
May 20, 2022
Originally Published On
May 20, 2022