CDC chief endorses plan for youths age 12-15 to get a booster
Source: USA Today
Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky cleared the way Wednesday for extra booster doses to be given right away to people ages 12 to 15. A CDC advisory panel earlier in the day had voted 13-1 in favor of recommending that 12- to 15-year-olds get a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, and Walensky quickly endorsed the suggestion.
The extra shot may be given at least five months after conclusion of the original two-dose regimen.The committee also strengthened its recommendation that 16- and 17-year-olds also should get a booster. Previous guidance said that age group "may" get a shot. It is critical that we protect our children and teens from COVID-19 infection and the complications of severe disease.
Today, I endorsed ACIPs vote to expand eligibility and strengthen our recommendations for booster doses," Walensky said. "We now recommend that all adolescents aged 12-17 years 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.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized the booster earlier this week, basing its decision largely on data from Israel that found no new safety concerns when 6,300 12- to 15-year-olds got a Pfizer booster five months after their second dose. The booster is considered a crucial weapon against the pandemic as students return to classrooms following winter break amid a historic, omicron-driven surge in cases. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/01/05/covid-omicron-vaccinations-hospitalizations-cases/9096196002/
Parents, start your appointment engines!
Edit to note that the previous OP was about the ACIP Committee vote to recommend the booster for this age group and this OP is the "final" approval by the CDC Director (FDA approved it earlier).
littlemissmartypants
(22,417 posts)BumRushDaShow
(127,281 posts)Which is why I added this in the comments part -
littlemissmartypants
(22,417 posts)BumRushDaShow
(127,281 posts)I watched CDC's ACIP meeting yesterday afternoon from start to finish through to the Committee vote and was waiting for the Director to give her okay after they voted on the recommendation, and this OP announced that. Her sign-off was the final step needed for approval of the changes.