CDC shortens interval for Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendation for when many people can receive a booster shot, shortening the interval from six months to five months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
This means that people can now receive an mRNA booster shot five months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. The booster interval recommendation for people who received the J&J vaccine (two months) or the Moderna vaccine (six months), has not changed.
Additionally, consistent with its prior recommendation for adults, the CDC is recommending that moderately or severely immunocompromised between the ages of 5 to 11 years old can receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5 to 11 years old.
[Read more: FDA expected to expand COVID-19 booster eligibility for children ages 12-15]
"As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to update our recommendations to ensure the best possible protection for the American people," said CDC director Rochelle Walensky. Following the FDA’s authorizations, today’s recommendations ensure people are able to get a boost of protection in the face of Omicron and increasing cases across the country, and ensure that the most vulnerable children can get an additional dose to optimize protection against COVID-19. If you or your children are eligible for a third dose or a booster, please go out and get one as soon as you can. Additionally, FDA took action this week to authorize boosters for 12 to 15 year olds — and I look forward to ACIP meeting on Wednesday to discuss this issue."
The CDC’s announcement followed on the heels of the FDA’s announcement of amending the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to expand the use of a single booster dose to include use in individuals between the ages of 12 to 15 years old.
The FDA also shortened the time between the completion of primary vaccination of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose to at least five months.
[Read more: Retailers begin offering Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots]
The FDA’s action also approved a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old.
"Throughout the pandemic, as the virus that causes COVID-19 has continuously evolved, the need for the FDA to quickly adapt has meant using the best available science to make informed decisions with the health and safety of the American public in mind," said acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock. "With the current wave of the omicron variant, it's critical that we continue to take effective, life-saving preventative measures such as primary vaccination and boosters, mask wearing and social distancing to in order to effectively fight COVID-19."
The FDA noted that children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old who are fully vaccinated and are not immunocompromised do not need a third dose at this time, but the FDA will continue to review information and communicate with the public if data emerges suggesting booster doses are needed for this pediatric population.
"Based on the FDA’s assessment of currently available data, a booster dose of the currently authorized vaccines may help provide better protection against both the delta and omicron variants. In particular, the omicron variant appears to be slightly more resistant to the antibody levels produced in response to the primary series doses from the current vaccines," said Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "With this in mind, the FDA has extended the range of individuals eligible to receive a booster, shortened the length of time between the completion of the Pfizer primary series for individuals to receive a booster and is authorizing a third protective vaccine dose for some of our youngest and most vulnerable individuals."