WI Health Department Urges Booster Shots for Ages 5 to 11

Following a recent federal recommendation, the state health department is recommending COVID-19 booster shots for anyone age 5 or older who has had the Pfizer two-shot vaccine at least five months earlier.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) issued the recommendation Monday, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week that children ages 5 to 11 would be eligible for a booster dose five months after completing the original Pfizer series.

The recommendation means that everyone 5 or older is now eligible for a booster five months after getting a complete Pfizer vaccine series.

The CDC has also recommended that people who are 12 and older and who have moderately or severely compromised immune systems, as well as people who are 50 and older, get a second COVID-19 booster dose.

“The recommendation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for 5-11-year-olds provides parents with an excellent opportunity to ensure their children receive additional protection from COVID-19 prior to summer activities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake in a statement.

According to DHS, more than 2 million Wisconsin residents have received boosters or additional COVID-19 vaccine doses. “Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best protection for preventing the worst outcomes from this virus,” Timberlake said.

Boosters can help extend the vaccine’s protection against infection, serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, according to DHS.

Wisconsin has continued to offer COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost, regardless of whether a person has health insurance or whether the insurance plan covers COVID-19 vaccination. The website Vaccines.gov helps users locate a vaccine provider. People also can call 211 or 877-947-2211 for that information.

DHS also has a website on Boosters & Staying Up to Date with Your Vaccines.

Health department recommends COVID-19 boosters for ages 5 and up was originally published by the Wisconsin Examiner.