CDC recommends updated boosters for ages 5+

By Jenn Aaron, RN, MSN, Heath Team Director

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week that 5 to 11-year-olds receive the updated, bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster. The coronavirus has changed over time, and the newer boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus and the dominant Omicron variants. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines wanes as the virus changes, and the bivalent booster is meant to provide better, more targeted protection and reduce the risk for serious complications of the virus. The Pfizer booster is recommended for individuals ages 5+ and Moderna for ages 6+, who have not received a booster dose within the past two months. The CDC tool found here can help guide your decision-making.

The CDC is also reporting an earlier start to the flu season that will potentially be more severe than the previous two, during which the United States saw little flu activity. The resultant reduced population immunity is a contributing factor and is particularly true for higher-risk individuals, including the pediatric population. The best action we can take to protect our students and the community is to vaccinate them and ourselves against the flu. Both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all people ages 6 months+ receive a flu shot every year, ideally by the end of October. Other vaccines can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccine, including COVID-19 boosters. 

The USN Medical Advisory Board continues to meet as needed and strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students to receive both the flu shot and COVID-19 booster this fall, and both are widely available. Please visit vaccines.gov for locations or contact your health care provider.