Pfizer booster dose available for 5- to 11-year-olds

The Plumas County Public Health Agency announced today that Pfizer boosters are available for 5- to 11-year-olds.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup met May 19 and carefully reviewed the data presented at the U.S. C.D.C. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting held the same day concerning the recommendation that children ages 5-11 years who received a primary series of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be given a booster dose at the same intervals recommended for persons 12 years and older.

The Workgroup discussed the data presented at the ACIP meeting concerning the current situation regarding infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the United States; the numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in various age groups, including children 5-11 years of age; the evidence of waning immunity following receipt of an initial two dose series of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine; the effectiveness of a booster dose of the vaccine in increasing protection against COVID-19; and the evidence available to date concerning the very low incidence of myocarditis and other adverse events following receipt of a first, second, and booster dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. In children with moderate or severe immunocompromise, the initial series is comprised of three doses, and the booster dose will be a fourth dose of the vaccine.

The Workgroup concluded that the available data supported the conclusion that the benefits of giving a booster dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to those 5-11 years of age substantially outweigh the risks, particularly in light of the data presented to ACIP concerning the significant but often unappreciated burden of COVID-19-related illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths in children in this age group.

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The Workgroup continues to urge all healthcare providers and vaccine recipients to report any suspected adverse events following receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and vaccine recipients to participate in the v-safe system.