3rd mRNA Vaccination Approved for Adolescents

The Director of the U.S. CDC confirmed yesterday it is expanding the eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone five years of age and older, five months after their initial two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccination series.

"Today, I endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vote to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses," stated Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky in a media statement issued on May 19, 2022.

"With over 18 million doses administered in this age group, we know that these vaccines are safe, and we must continue to increase the number of children who are protected."

"I encourage parents to keep their children up to date with CDC's COVID-19 vaccine recommendations."

"With (COVID-19) cases increasing, it is important that all people have the protection they need, which is why, today, CDC has also strengthened another booster recommendation."

"Those 50 and older and 12 and older and immunocompromised should get a second booster dose."

In addition, the CDC announced it is strengthening its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster, 4th dose, at least four months after their 3rd vaccination.

The ACIP presentation slides for the May 19, 2022, digital meeting are posted at this CDC link.

On May 19, 2022, the CDC reported that about 66.5% of the U.S. population had been 'fully vaccinated' with an Approve/Authorized COVID-19 vaccine.

And about 46.4% of eligible people have been 'first boosted' and are now 'up to date' vaccinated.

Note: This CDC announcement was manually curated for mobile readers.