Newly formulated Omicron COVID booster shots can help protect children and lower transmission of the coronavirus as the U.S. prepares for a possible spike in cases heading into the fall and winter.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized bivalent COVID-19 booster shots for children ages 5 and above on Oct. 12. The new booster aims to target omicron subvariants, as well as the original strain of the virus.
- Moderna:Â Individuals ages 6 through 17 and older
- Pfizer-BioNTech: Individuals ages 5 through 11 years and older (Previously, the FDA had authorized the updated Pfizer bivalent booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and up)
- Ages 6 months through 4 years receive all COVID-19 original (monovalent) primary series doses.
- Ages 5 years and older receive all COVID-19 original (monovalent) primary series doses, plus an updated (bivalent) booster.
More than 11 million Americans ages 12 and older have received the new booster shots so far, according to CDC data.
It’s unclear how strong demand for the new shots will be among parents. Just under 50% of people ages 5 and older received a booster shot with the first generation of vaccines.
What can you do to get a booster appointment? You have several options:
1. Book an appointment through your medical provider
2. Go to your county’s vaccination site
3. Book an appointment through CVS website
4. Book an appointment through your local pharmacies
