COVID-19 Boost Dose and Pediatic Vaccine Update

Who is eligible for a boost dose of COVID vaccine anyway? It can be confusing navigating ever-changing recommendations and minimum intervals between the original prime series and boost doses. The information provided below will provide current COVID-19 recommendations to help you determine if a boost dose is indicated for you or your family members.

For those that are generally healthy and are not moderately to severely immunocompromised, the recommendations for receiving a boost dose are outlined below:

• People ages 5–49 years: Should receive one booster dose at least 5 months after the second primary series dose, for three doses.
• People ages 50 years and older: Should receive two booster doses. The first should be administered at least 5 months after completion of the primary series and the second at least 4 months after the first booster dose, for four doses.

For those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, a total of three prime doses are recommended, followed by boost dose recommendations as listed below:

• People ages 5-11 years: Should receive one booster dose at least three months after the third primary dose, for a total of four doses.
• People ages 12 years and older: Should receive two booster doses. The first should be administered at least three months after completion of the primary series and the second at least four months after the first booster dose, for five doses.

Who may be considered moderately or severely immunocompromised? Any person that meets the following qualifiers but not limited to:

• Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
• Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Receipt of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppressive therapy)
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency syndromes.
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Of note, both Pfizer and Moderna have applied for an Emergency Use Authorization for children 6 months through 4 years for their COVID-19 vaccines. On June 14, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will meet to determine if the vaccine is safe, effective, and appropriate for use in this age group. If approved, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) will meet for final review on/around June 22, 2022. If pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is approved for 6 months to 4 years of age, vaccine will be available at Myrtue Medical Center’s Harlan Rural Health Clinic soon after. For a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please call 712.755.4444.

Currently, Shelby County is in the moderate community transmission level, indicating an increased risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. Should you choose to follow CDC recommendations for a COVID-19 vaccine boost dose or start a primary series, please contact any of the following provider options: Your healthcare provider at 712.755.5130, Myrtue’s Public Health Department at 712.755.4422, or local pharmacies that offer COVID-19 vaccine.