FDA, CDC Authorize Pfizer Booster Doses for 16 and 17-Year-Olds
On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine to extend booster dose eligibility to fully vaccinated people ages 16-17. Also Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a recommendation for booster dose use for this age group. This is an important step toward strengthening protection against COVID-19 for teens ages 16 and 17.
COVID-19 vaccine providers in Ohio can immediately begin offering booster doses to 16- and 17-year-olds at least six months following completion of their primary vaccination series.
Booster doses are now recommended for everyone age 16 and older. People who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine should get a booster at least six months after the primary vaccination series. People who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should get a booster at least two months after the initial dose.
Mix-and-match booster doses ̶ in which fully vaccinated people can choose any of the three U.S. approved COVID-19 vaccines for their booster ̶ is an option only for adults 18 and older. Because the Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for any person younger than 18, people age 16 or 17 can only receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
At this time, booster doses are not authorized for any children younger than age 16.
RESOURCES:
Vaccine providers with questions may call the ODH Provider Call Center at 1-844-9ODHVAX (1-844-963-4829) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov. |