The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has announced new changes with COVID-19 vaccinations.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending booster vaccinations for moderately or severely immunocompromised children between the ages of 5 to 11.
Under this latest guideline, children with moderately or severely compromised immune systems may receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 28 days after receiving their second dose in the primary vaccination series.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children under the age of 18.
In another update, the CDC has reduced the wait time for boosters for adults ages 18 and older who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Adults are now eligible for a booster shot five months after finishing their primary series instead of the previously recommended six months.
That change also applies to children between the ages of 12 to 17, though the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only one that is authorized for children under the age of 18.
Anyone who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is eligible for a second shot after two months.
COVID-19 vaccines for anyone ages 5 and older are available for free at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. Visit the Florida Department of Health in Marion County COVID-19 vaccines webpage to make an appointment.
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County provides vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its main office located at 1801 SE 32nd Avenue in Ocala.
Anyone who has questions about vaccines, whether for themselves or their children, should consult with their health care provider.
According to the CDC, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children under the age of 12 has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents, but the dose for ages 5 to 11 is only one-third of the amount that is in the adult vaccine.
The needles used to administer vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 are also smaller and were specifically designed for children.
In addition to the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, vaccines are available throughout the county at many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics, and health centers. For more information on vaccines, or to find a vaccine location, visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine locator webpage.
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health in Marion County and Marion County COVID-19 webpages.