CDC recommends that people get boosted 5 months after receiving primary series of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that people get a booster shot five months after being vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

"Today, CDC is updating our recommendation for when many people can receive a booster shot, shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine," the agency said in press release. "This means that people can now receive an mRNA booster shot 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. The booster interval recommendation for people who received the J&J vaccine (2 months) or the Moderna vaccine (6 months), has not changed."

The CDC also announced on Tuesday that it "is recommending that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had said Monday that it changed the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to decrease "to at least five months" the span of time separating completion of primary vaccination from a booster shot.

The FDA also amended the EUA to green light boosters for people ages 12 to 15, and to green light a third primary series shot for certain immunocompromised 5 to 11-year-old kids.

"Following the FDA’s authorizations, today’s recommendations ensure people are able to get a boost of protection in the face of Omicron and increasing cases across the country, and ensure that the most vulnerable children can get an additional dose to optimize protection against COVID-19," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. "If you or your children are eligible for a third dose or a booster, please go out and get one as soon as you can. Additionally, FDA took action this week to authorize boosters for 12-15 year olds – and I look forward to ACIP meeting on Wednesday to discuss this issue."