Public Health adopts CDC recommendations for boosters after five months
January 12, 2022
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to shorten the interval from six months to five months for when people who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can get a booster dose. Only people who received two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine during their primary series can now receive an mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) booster dose five months after their second shot. The booster interval remains the same for those who received the Moderna vaccine (six months) or the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for their primary series.
“Early evidence suggests that people who have received COVID-19 booster doses are better protected against severe illness from the new omicron variant,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Shortening the time interval between the initial Pfizer series and boosters will afford better protection to more people.”
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration also authorized booster doses for those aged 12-15 years and the CDC will discuss adoption of changes later this week. IDPH is working to update guidance documents based on the CDC’s recommendations.
To find vaccination locations near you, go to vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233.
Reader Comments(0)