CDC Recommends Omicron-Specific Booster

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it was recommending the use of a reformulated COVID-19 booster for individuals aged 12 and up. The recommendation follows the decision by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to approve updated omicron-specific shots from Moderna, for those 18 and older, and from Pfizer-BioNTech, for people 12 and older. On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had announced its authorization of the updated boosters.

The use of the updated boosters is recommended before an anticipated wave of new COVID-19 cases in the fall and winter. Eligible individuals should receive the omicron-specific booster two months after completion of their primary vaccine series or their most recent booster.