Children ages 5 through 11 are now able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster from local providers, Kenosha County Public Health announced today.
Echoing federal recommendations, Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit encouraged eligible people in this and other age groups to receive a booster to help safely restore and enhance protection against severe COVID-19 disease.
“While COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise locally and nationally, the science continues to show that getting vaccinated and keeping up with your booster schedule is a highly effective way to avoid the most severe effects of the virus,” Freiheit said. “If people have any questions or concerns about it, I encourage them to discuss the benefits of vaccination with a health care provider.”
Here's a look at what population groups are currently eligible for vaccinations and boosters, per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines:
Eligible for the initial vaccination series: Anyone ages 5 and up. Note: The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech series remains the only vaccine approved for those 17 and under. Adults 18 and older may also choose from the two-dose Moderna series or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Eligible for a single booster: Children 5-17 and adults 18-49. The CDC recommends the booster be received at least five months after people complete their initial vaccination series.
Eligible for two boosters: Adults 50 and older and those 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
- The first booster should come at least five months after the final dose in the primary series for most people, and at least three months after the primary series for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
- The second booster should come at least four months after the first.
Notes about Johnson & Johnson: The CDC currently recommends the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only for people for whom the other COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or are ill-advised due to allergies or other factors, or those who would not otherwise receive a vaccine.
Eligible individuals who receive the single-dose J&J vaccine are advised to receive their first booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least two months after their primary dose, and the second booster at least four months after that.
Note about mixing vaccine varieties: The CDC advises that people may receive either the Pfizer or Moderna booster, regardless of the type of vaccine they received for their primary series.
More information from the CDC about booster shots is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.
To find a local vaccine provider, visit the Kenosha County COVID-19 Response Hub website at https://www.kenoshacounty.org/covid-19.