FDA and CDC expand approval of updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccines for children Ages 5-17

Key Takeaways

On October 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-17. Under the amended EUA, the Moderna vaccine is authorized for children ages 6 through 17 years of age, and the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for children five to 11 years of age.

Following FDA authorization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), updated their COVID-19 vaccination recommendations to include the boosters for this younger age group.

Updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and targeting recent Omicron strains that are more transmissible and immune compromising.

The approval of the updated COVID-19 boosters is a critical next step in the nation’s pandemic recovery efforts. County governments have been on the front lines of our nation’s vaccination efforts and will continue to work to coordinate distribution and administration of vaccines, which provide increased protection against severe COVID-19 disease and mortality.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• CDC COVID-19 booster tool
• The County Role in Vaccines
• NACo Blog: CDC Approves Moderna, Pfizer-Biontech Omicron Booster Shots for Everyone 12 and Older
• NACo Blog: CDC Approves COVID-19 Vaccine for Children under 5