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.