Recently the Food and Drug administration expanded booster availability for children 5 to 11. It is to provide continued protection from the virus.
The booster is to be available at least five months after they complete their primary series. But the approval is only for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster.
FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. was quoted as “While it has largely been the case that COVID-19 tends to be less severe in children than adults, the omicron wave has seen more kids getting sick with the disease and being hospitalized, and children may also experience longer term effects, even following initially mild disease”.
More, this expands on the existing rollout of booster shots. In fact, according to the FDA website: On Nov. 19, the FDA authorized the use of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for administration to all individuals 18 years of age and older after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. And in January, they expanded this to include children 12 through 15 years of age after completion of primary vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Getting vaccinated is key. And COVID-19 is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccines are safe. And they are effective. More, even though there are reported “breakthrough cases”, they substantially reduce symptoms.
How to get Vaccinated
There are many options. And many drug stores, Walmart and others provide it. And at no cost. Here are some methods: