This article appeared in Big Rapids Pioneer. Read the full article here.
As cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to increase in parts of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thursday recommended that children ages 5 to 11 get a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to boost immunity.
The recommendation was granted Thursday by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, who also encouraged parents of children in that age group, if they have not already been vaccinated, to get their child their first shot “soon.”
“Vaccination with a primary series among this age group has lagged behind other age groups leaving them vulnerable to serious illness,” Walensky said. “With over 18 million doses administered in this age group, we know that these vaccines are safe, and we must continue to increase the number of children who are protected.”
Immunocompromised people ages 12 and older should get a second booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Walensky said, and the CDC strengthened its recommendation that people 50 and older should get a second booster dose to be considered up to date on their coronavirus vaccinations. The agency previously stated that older adults “may” get a second dose.
Fewer than 30% of children ages 5 to 11 have been fully vaccinated, with 36% having had at least one dose, according to CDC data. The CDC’s recommendation of a third dose follows the Food and Drug Administration authorizing a third dose on Monday. Only the Pfizer vaccine is currently authorized for children in the age group.
“The omicron wave has seen more kids getting sick with the disease and being hospitalized, and children may also experience longer-term effects, even following initially mild disease,” Dr. Robert Califf, commissioner of the FDA, said in a statement. “Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 and its severe consequences, and it is safe.
Children under 5 do not yet have an authorized vaccine, with children ages 5 to 11 the last age group to gain access to a booster.