CDC Approves Updated Pfizer and Moderna Omicron Booster

On Sept. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially approved Pfizer and Moderna’s updated COVID-19 omicron doses designed to offer protection from the original COVID-19 virus and the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The Food and Drug Administration authorized both vaccines under an Emergency Use Authorization on Wednesday, August 31. Pfizer’s omicron dose is authorized for people aged 12 years and older. Moderna’s omicron dose is authorized for people aged 18 years and older. 

Anyone aged 12 years and older who has completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines should receive an omicron dose. A primary series usually means two doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson. People who are immunocompromised may receive up to three doses in their primary series. Additionally, anyone who has previously received a third, fourth, or fifth dose — also known as booster doses — should receive an omicron dose. People should get their omicron dose at least two months after their most recent dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and can wait three months after a recent COVID-19 infection. 

Learn more about omicron vaccine doses at www.covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine. 

CDC Recommends Children 6 months and Older be Vaccinated

On June 18, 2022, the CDC recommended children 6 months - 5 years be vaccinated against COVID-19. Parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines to better protect them from COVID-19. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated, according to the CDC. 

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including clinic locations near you, including Park County sites, please visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/kids-vaccines.  

Questions? Please contact your child’s primary care provider.

On Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave a final approval for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year-olds. 

Many of the current vaccine sites will carry the pediatric Pfizer vaccines, please check availability when registering for an appointment.  If you have questions, please speak with your child's pediatrician. Also visit the CDC's COVID vaccine website for children and teens. 

Electronic Proof of COVID19 Vaccine

Do you need proof of your COVID-19 vaccine? You can visit the the state's website and save an electronic version of the same format as the paper CDC card the user received when they were vaccinated. myColorado app users can download a copy to their device, refresh or delete the record.

Vaccine Types

Safety and Monitoring:

• On July 13, the FDA published a press release and sent a fact sheet and another fact sheet to healthcare providers (i.e.doctors, nurses, hospitals, etc.) about a recent safety signal they detected: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Based on an analysis of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting (VAERS) data, the FDA found 100 reports of GBS following 12.5 million vaccines. Out of the 100 cases, 95% were serious and required hospitalization. One person died.
• On June 23, CDC issued a safety concern associated with Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
• On April 23, the press release from the FDA and CDC, who determined the use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine should be resumed in the United States and that the FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19. CDPHE has decided to proceed by including FDA’s updated warning to patients about the increased risk of very rare but potentially severe TTS, particularly among women under the age of 50.
• On August 23, the  FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine for ages 16 and older, marking an important milestone in the ongoing pandemic.
• On August 11, the CDC released additional safety data related to pregnant people receiving the COVID19 vaccine, more details can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0811-vaccine-safe-pregnant.html
• The Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines are authorized for ages 18 and older and the Pfizer vaccine is approved for 12 and older. Please check the clinic you are registering for carefully to ensure it is offering your preferred choice.
• On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The FDA previously amended the EUA for administration in individuals 16 years of age and older. All ages are subject to change.
• Vaccine Finder: allows you to search by vaccine type and location in Colorado.
• Overview of approved vaccines

Who Shouldn't Get a Vaccine?

The vaccines have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA and are considered highly safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infections. Most people 12 years and older (for Pfizer) and 18 and older (for Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines) are able to safely receive the vaccine, but please contact your doctor if you:

• Are currently in isolation or have a fever 24 hours after the end of isolation with no improvement in symptoms
  
• Had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
  
• Have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine.