Please do not get a third shot for your under 16 y.o. teen without consulting your doctor

[Anonymous]

I saw in another thread that people are suggesting a third shot for their under 16 y.o. teen. I don't know if the system actually allows this to happen, but please consult with your doctor before you do anything that is not approved. I believe that the booster is a half dose (please verify for yourself) so a third dose could be the wrong dosage if they do not know you are seeking a booster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw in another thread that people are suggesting a third shot for their under 16 y.o. teen. I don't know if the system actually allows this to happen, but please consult with your doctor before you do anything that is not approved. I believe that the booster is a half dose (please verify for yourself) so a third dose could be the wrong dosage if they do not know you are seeking a booster.

While I appreciate the sentiment, there are so many things at least a bit wrong with this.

1. Everyone 16 years old and older is encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

[12/9/2021] “Today, CDC is strengthening its booster recommendations and encouraging everyone 16 and older to receive a booster shot. Although we don’t have all the answers on the Omicron variant, initial data suggests that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen the protection against Omicron and other variants. We know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and I strongly encourage adolescents ages 16 and 17 to get their booster if they are at least 6 months post their initial Pfizer vaccination series.”

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1208-16-17-booster.html

2. However, the EUA does not apply to children 15 and under. They will not be offered the booster, unless you lie about the age.

3. The Moderna booster is a lower dose, but the Pfizer booster is the same dose as the original series.

4. Please do not encourage people with children under 16 to call their healthcare providers, who are already busy enough, about something that just can't happen right now.

[Anonymous]

I think OP is referring to posts lately encouraging people to take their under 16 yo and lie to get them as additional shot. I agree with OP, it’s a bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is referring to posts lately encouraging people to take their under 16 yo and lie to get them as additional shot. I agree with OP, it’s a bad idea.

But how would consulting their doctor change anything? They can't get the shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is referring to posts lately encouraging people to take their under 16 yo and lie to get them as additional shot. I agree with OP, it’s a bad idea.

But how would consulting their doctor change anything? They can't get the shot.

Some who are under 16 and immuno-compromised can work with their doctor to get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is referring to posts lately encouraging people to take their under 16 yo and lie to get them as additional shot. I agree with OP, it’s a bad idea.

But how would consulting their doctor change anything? They can't get the shot.

Some who are under 16 and immuno-compromised can work with their doctor to get it.

Not as far as I know. I think it's a licensing issue -- technically, that wouldn't even be "off-label" use. I'm a primary care provider, and when I discussed it with our pediatric subspecialists, they said no. Is there someone actually doing this? I mean, identified, not just vague rumors?

Even if there were, it would NOT be done through any regular site. It would be done (if it is being done, and I doubt that) through a subspecialist office with a dedicated supply.

[Anonymous]

^^I mean, you wouldn't just "talk to your doctor." It would be "only if given by the DC's specialist."