US CDC Advisory Committee Recommends Booster Shots for Adolescents Aged 12 to 15

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The advisory committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended booster shots (additional vaccinations) of the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 15, Bloomberg News reported on the 5th (local time).

According to the report, the CDC held an advisory committee meeting on the afternoon of the same day to discuss booster shot vaccinations for adolescents. External experts on the advisory committee expressed support for adolescent booster shots by a margin of 13 to 1. Accordingly, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is expected to give final approval based on the advisory committee's recommendation as early as this week.

Bloomberg News conveyed the atmosphere, stating, "The effectiveness of the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine has recently faded amid the spread of the Omicron variant," and "Studies suggest that immunity can be enhanced with a booster shot, and with students and teachers returning to school after the recent winter break, discussions around this are ongoing." Prior to the CDC, on the 3rd, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lowered the authorized age for booster shots from 16 and older to 12 and older, and also approved booster shots for immunocompromised children aged 5 to 11.

Currently, among the 8.6 million U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 15 who have completed vaccination, about 5 million are understood to have completed their vaccinations five months ago. If the CDC approves adolescent booster shots, these individuals will be immediately eligible for vaccination.

However, concerns have also been raised. It is argued that it is premature to judge the safety of vaccines and booster shots for adolescents. Sarah Long, a professor of pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and a member of the advisory committee, said, "I think it is still too early to say."

Meanwhile, the U.S. administration under Joe Biden confirmed on the same day that it does not plan to include booster shots in the concept of being "fully vaccinated."

Director Walensky stated at a White House briefing that morning, "If you complete the primary series (two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Janssen), you are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19," and "That definition does not change."

As of that day, the seven-day average of daily new confirmed cases was 491,700, an increase of about 98% compared to the previous week. During the same period, hospitalizations reached 14,800, up 63%. Deaths increased by 5% to about 1,200.

Director Walensky said, "In the past few weeks and during the holidays, COVID-19 cases have surged sharply. The new variant Omicron accounts for 95%," adding, "Due to the recent surge in cases and the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron, the importance of vaccination and booster shots is being further emphasized."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.