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Coronavirus

CDC advisory panel recommends Pfizer boosters for children as young as 12

The committee voted 13-1 Wednesday in support of the expanded booster recommendation

January 5, 2022 5:57pm

Updated: January 6, 2022 11:26am

An advisory panel for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday recommended for children as young as 12 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine. 

"A single Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-10 vaccine booster dose is recommended for persons aged 12 to 17 years at least 5 months after primary series under the FDA's emergency use authorization," the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices stated, according to CNN.

The committee voted 13-1 Wednesday in support of the expanded recommendation.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine boosters for children ages 12 to 15.

The next day, the CDC recommended that immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 receive a third Pfizer shot four weeks after their second. The organization also recommended shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months after the first Pfizer vaccine series to receive the booster.

The panel's latest decision still needs to apporval from Dr. Rochelle Walensky to take effect.

"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," she said Tuesday.