SM County: FDA and CDC Expand Booster Eligibility

07 Jan SM County: FDA and CDC Expand Booster Eligibility

San Miguel County Public Health puts out the word: Children 12-15, Pfizer booster after 5 months, and immunocompromised 5- to 11-year-olds among authorized changes.

For the most up-to-date schedule of vaccine clinics, visit the vacine page on the county COVID website.

For up-to-date coronavirus information, visit here.

For free coronavirus testing opportunities, visit here.

For all Covid blogs from San Miguel County, go here.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded eligibility for Pfizer boosters on Monday and shortened the timing of Pfizer’s booster doses from six months to five months. Children ages 12 to 15 are now authorized to receive a booster dose 5 months after their second dose in their initial series.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel met on Thursday, January 6, to determine whether booster shots should be recommended for children ages 12 to 15.

On Wednesday, the CDC recommended that immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 are now authorized to receive a three-dose series of Pfizer, including an extra dose in their initial Pfizer series 28 days after their second shot.

These changes in booster eligibility address the issue of waning immunity over time from an initial vaccine series. Meanwhile, a booster dose is proven to reboot the body’s immune response, resulting in increased protection against both the delta and omicron variants of COVID-19.

The new eligibility guidance enables millions of vaccine recipients to get their boosters right away. A booster COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for anyone who meets the following eligibility:

• Moderna recipients who received their second dose at least six months ago and are 18 years of age or older.

• Pfizer recipients who received their second dose at least five months ago and are 12 years of age or older.

• Pfizer recipients who are 5 years of age and older who are immunocompromised and received their second dose at least 28 days ago.

• Johnson and Johnson recipients who received their initial dose at least two months ago and are 18 years of age or older.

“While we continue to learn about omicron as it rapidly spreads throughout the world, one thing is abundantly clear: vaccines and boosters are limiting the severity of symptoms due to COVID infection,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “If you are now eligible for a booster, take advantage of one of the many clinics in the area this week and next to further protect yourself from the rapidly spreading omicron variant.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has returned to San Miguel County with its mobile vaccine clinic. The remaining clinics for this week’s CDPHE Vaccine Bus Clinics follow:

Thursday, January 6: Blue Mesa Parking Lot in Mountain Village, 10 am to 5 pm

Friday, January 7: Pig Palace at the Fairgrounds in Norwood, 9 am to 1 pm

Tri-County Health Network will also be hosting a vaccination clinic in Norwood including free food, giveaways and help with health insurance enrollment during the state’s open enrollment period.

Saturday, January 15: Lone Cone Library in Norwood, 11 am to 6 pm

Public Health has confirmed 249 new positive cases of COVID-19 from test results received from December 31 through January 6. Caseload data is still being collected for this continued unprecedented spike in new cases including information surrounding residency and vaccination status. As of release time, there are 343 active local cases, all actively contagious cases are directed to isolate at the onset of symptoms or receipt of a positive COVID test result.

There have been 2,206 total COVID cases among residents including 1 new hospitalization and 7 COVID-related deaths.

To learn more about the county’s current COVID-19 metrics, please visit the SMC COVID-19 dashboard.

Power The Comeback:

Crowded places, covered faces
Get vaccinated
Stay home when sick and get tested