News & Events

News

Mighty Blog

COVID-19 vaccine targeting new variants approved by CDC for children 6 months and older

There is an updated COVID-19 vaccine for you and your family! It will help protect you from the most severe symptoms of the original virus, plus provide increased protection against the variants that are circulating in the community.

On Dec. 9, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization (EUA) for the following COVID-19 vaccines: 

  • Kids ages 6 months-4 years who complete a Moderna primary series can receive 1 bivalent Moderna booster dose at least 2 months after completion of the primary series. 
  • Kids age 5 years who complete a Moderna primary series may receive either the previously authorized bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose or the newly authorized bivalent Moderna booster dose at least two months after completion of the Moderna primary series. 
  • The previously authorized 3-dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary series for children ages 6 months–4 years has been revised as follows:  
    • A monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is administered for the first and second doses, followed by 1 bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the third primary series dose. The third dose should be at least 8 weeks after the second dose.  
    • A booster dose is not authorized for children in this age group who receive a Pfizer-BioNTech 3-dose primary series, including children who previously received a 3-dose monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. 

Read the full summary of recent changes from the CDC. 

How can I get the new bivalent vaccine for my child?

Children’s Minnesota encourages families to get their eligible children vaccinated as soon as they can at the vaccination site nearest to them. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID vaccination, we encourage you to talk with your primary care provider. 

There are many options available to get vaccinated: 

Nick Petersen