COVID Booster Eligibility Expanded To Ages 12-15 In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — COVID-19 booster shots are now available to children aged 12 to 15 in Fairfax County after federal and state recommendation. Younger children aged 5 to 11 are eligible if they are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

The Virginia Department of Health announced the expanded eligibility Thursday following recommendation from the CDC and authorization from the FDA. Previously VDH said children aged 16 to 17 may get a booster. Now as the omicron variant spreads, the state's health department now recommends all children aged 12 to 17 get a booster shot in addition to adults.

"Boosters for those 12+ are safe and effective," VDH stated. "They provide additional protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. This is important as the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly."

Federal and state health officials also recommended children aged 5 to 11 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised can receive a third Pfizer pediatric dose. The timing is at least 28 days after the second dose.

The guidance for when people should get a Pfizer booster was also updated. VDH says residents 12 and up should receive a Pfizer booster five months after their initial two doses are completed. The previous recommendation was six months after the two-dose series.

The recommendation remains the same for the other vaccines — six months after the two-dose series for Moderna or two months after the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only available to people 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine available to anyone 5 and older, although the two-dose series is a lower pediatric dose for ages 5 to 11.

The Fairfax County Health Department said Thursday it would begin to offer boosters for ages 12 to 15 at health department clinics. Booster appointments also remain available for ages 16 and up. Health department locations and other vaccine providers can be found by searching your ZIP code at www.vaccines.gov. The Fairfax Health District covers Fairfax County, towns of Herndon, Vienna and Clifton, and cities of Falls Church and Fairfax.