COVID-19 booster dose authorized for children ages 5-11

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first COVID-19 booster for children ages 5-11. All children in this age group who received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine at least five months ago are eligible to receive a booster dose. Until now, only children ages 12 and older and adults were eligible to receive a booster.

Jennifer Schrimsher, MD, an infectious diseases physician at LMH Health, encouraged parents to keep their children up-to-date with the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.

“Although the primary two-dose series still does a good job at preventing hospitalizations and deaths, data shows the booster is vital in significantly increasing protection against the Omicron variants and as immunity normally wanes a bit from the primary series,” she said.

Schrimsher emphasized that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and it’s important for children to have the protection they need.

“These vaccines have undergone the most rigorous safety monitoring in our history, and will continue for years into the future. This ensures that the recommendations are science-based and that the vaccines are safe,” she explained.

Most LMH Health Primary Care Clinics offer the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds. To find a clinic near you, please visit lmh.org/primarycare. Vaccine may also be available at other primary care providers and pharmacies.

Please note: First Med, Internal Medicine Group, McLouth Medical Clinic and Reed Internal Medicine & MDVIP Affiliate do not have the pediatric vaccine.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health also offers the pediatric vaccine. Visit ldchealth.org/covidvaccine for clinic dates and times.