FDA and CDC Expand Pfizer Vaccine Recommendations

1/3/22 — The FDA amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The revised EUA:

• Expands the use of a single booster dose to include use in individuals age 12 through 15
• Shorten the time between the completion of the primary vaccination series and a booster dose to at least five months
• Allow for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children age 5 through 11.

Following FDA’s updated approval, the CDC revised its recommendations that people receive a booster shot five months after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTec primary COVID-19 vaccine series (instead of six months). CDC is also recommending that 5-11 year olds who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. At this time, only the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for children ages 5-11.

Read the FDA announcement. Read the CDC statement.