CDC recommends COVID-19 booster for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation to expand eligibility of booster doses to those aged 12 to 17 years old.
The CDC now recommends that adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster shot five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
The CDC noted that data show that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. ACIP reviewed the available safety data following the administration of over 25 million vaccine doses in adolescents; COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
[Read more: CDC shortens interval for Pfizer's COVID-19 booster]
At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12-17.
“It is critical that we protect our children and teens from COVID-19 infection and the complications of severe disease,” said CDC director, Rochelle Walensky. “Today, I endorsed ACIP’s vote to expand eligibility and strengthen our recommendations for booster doses. We now recommend that all adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster shot 5 months after their primary series. This booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. I encourage all parents to keep their children up to date with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.”