On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized revised Covid vaccines that target the omicron version for infants as young as six months. As per CNBC, the eligibility standards vary depending on whether youngsters received Moderna’s or Pfizer’s initial vaccines as their first series.
Here are the eligibility criteria:
- Two months after the second dose of Moderna’s two-dose primary series, children aged 6 months to 5 years are now eligible for an omicron booster.
- Children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years who have not yet gotten the third dose of Pfizer’s primary series will now receive the omicron shot.
- However, children in the same age range who have already received Pfizer’s three-dose primary series cannot receive the omicron booster or fourth dosage at this time.
The FDA, in a statement, said it did not sanction omicron shots for those youngsters who previously received three doses of Pfizer’s vaccine because the agency is still waiting on supporting data for the booster dosage. This information is anticipated in January, and the FDA will analyze it as soon as feasible, according to the organization.
Before pharmacies and physicians can begin providing the vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must get approval.
In a statement to parents, Dr. Peter Marks, chairman of the FDA’s vaccination division, explained that the agency carefully studied the vaccines before authorizing them. Dr. Robert Califf, the head of the FDA, stated that it is crucial for individuals to be up-to-date on their vaccinations this winter because immunity to the virus wanes.
“As this virus has changed, and immunity from previous COVID-19 vaccination wanes, the more people who keep up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, the more benefit there will be for individuals, families and public health by helping prevent severe illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths,” Califf said in a statement.
Covid infections and hospitalizations have increased since the Thanksgiving holiday, prompting the authorizations. As respiratory viruses soar this season, putting a pressure on hospital emergency departments, U.S. health officials strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against Covid and the flu.
The new vaccinations target the subvariant of omicron BA.5 and the original Covid strain. Health officials in the United States anticipate that the new vaccines will provide stronger protection compared to the earlier vaccines, which exclusively targeted the initial Covid strain. However, effectiveness and immune response results for adults are inconsistent.
