DHS Supports CDC Recommendation for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Children Ages 5 through 11 years
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendation that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster dose 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccination series. On May 19, after rigorous review of all available data, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended, and the CDC director endorsed this recommendation.
On the same day, the CDC also strengthened another booster recommendation by updating a “may” receive to a “should” receive for the following people regarding receiving a second COVID-19 booster dose. People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, and people ages 50 years and older should receive a second COVID-19 booster dose.
Important reminder: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine supplied in a vial with an orange cap is authorized for use only in children ages 5-11 years. It is not interchangeable with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 12 years and older (supplied in vials with a purple cap or a gray cap).
DHS recommends:
- Children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster dose 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
- The following people should receive a second COVID-19 booster dose:
- People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
- People ages 50 years and older
CDC Interim Clinical Considerations and MMWR
The updated CDC Interim Clinical Considerations were released on May 20, 2022 and MMWR is anticipated to be published shortly.
Updated Emergency Use Authorizations
Immunization Policy and Procedure Manual
The Immunization Program Policy and Procedure (P&P) Manual will be updated shortly. Local Health Departments (LHDs) must wait until DHS updates the P&P Manual on SharePoint before providing boosters to children ages 5 through 11. Non-LHD vaccinators can start providing boosters to this age group following the release of the CDC Interim Clinical Considerations.
Primary Series and Staying Up to Date
Staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines is the best protection for preventing the worst outcomes from the virus. You are considered up to date with COVID-19 vaccines once you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including a booster dose when you are eligible.
Continue to talk with friends and family about the importance of getting vaccinated. While booster doses are an important step in increasing access to enhanced protection for people across Wisconsin, there remains large populations of people who are unvaccinated and who are at risk of serious illness and death.
We need a strong continued focus on increasing primary vaccination. About 39% of Wisconsinites are not fully vaccinated and about 75% of Wisconsin children ages 5 through 11 are not fully vaccinated. We need a strong continued focus on increasing primary series vaccination among these individuals. You can find several resources to support these conversations on the DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Partner and Vaccinator Resources webpage. Parents can learn more about the vaccine and how COVID-19 impacts children and youth by visiting the DHS COVID-19: Resources for Parents and Guardians page.
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