COVID-19 Boosters Approved For 16, 17-Year-Olds In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — COVID-19 booster shots are now available to 16 and 17-year-olds in Rhode Island, the Department of Health announced Friday.

The announcement comes following updated guidance from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, issued Thursday.

"I’m proud that Rhode Island led the nation in getting our population vaccinated — as of today, over 96 percent of adults have at least one shot," Gov. Dan McKee said. "To fully protects ourselves and our loved ones against Delta, Omicron and other variants, it’s time to double down and get a boost."

Before the changed guidance, booster shots were only available to adults. Now, 16 and 17-year-olds can get a Pfizer shot if they finished their first series of vaccinations at least six months earlier, or two months after the Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine. At this time, Pfizer is the only booster shot available to this age group.

"We are seeing very high levels of COVID-19 transmission right now in Rhode Island," said Dr. Nicola Alexander-Scott, the director of the Department of Health. "Booster doses for everyone who is eligible is critical to strengthen protection against Omicron and other variants, and to keeping individuals and communities as safe as possible. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and accessible all throughout Rhode Island. I’m urging parents and families to get their 16- and 17-year-olds boosted as soon as possible."