CDC director recommends boosters for 12-17 year olds

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., last night recommended 12-15 year olds receive a single booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least five months after the initial two-dose series, expanding the agency’s recommendation for 16 and 17 year olds to younger adolescents. 

“Today, I endorsed ACIP’s 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. I encourage all parents to keep their children up to date with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.”

The Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 3 authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12-15 year olds, in addition to the previously authorized 16 and 17 year olds.