Springfield-Greene County Health Department pauses COVID-19 booster shots for ages 5-11

(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)

On Oct. 12, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration granted emergency authorization of the updated mRNA boosters for children ages 5 and older. This authorization comes a month after the approval and distribution of the updated booster for individuals 12 and older.

Due to the emergency authorization, existing vaccine types are no longer authorized as booster doses for children ages 5-11. The Health Department will not be offering booster doses to children ages 5-11 while awaiting completion of the approval process effective immediately.

 

The updated boosters from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna must now receive authorization from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services before distribution.

Once the approval process is completed, the Health Department can begin offering the new booster doses to those eligible. The approval process is expected to move quickly, but the Health Department cannot give a firm date as to when ages 5 and up can receive their booster at one of its clinics.

Once approved, the updated Moderna booster dose will be available for children 6 and up, and the new Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose will be available for those 5 years and older. These booster doses should be administered at least two months after the child’s most recent dose and are designed to protect against the original COVID-19 strain and the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

 

The Health Department is still offering primary series vaccinations (first and second doses) to those who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as the updated booster for individuals 12 and older.

Individuals who receive a primary (first or second) dose and their first booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a Health Department clinic will continue to receive a $50 gift card while supplies last. Individuals should visit vaccine417.com or call the COVID-19 call center for all vaccine questions and availability.