COVID bivalent boosters for 5-11 years old now available

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. will now be offering the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster shots to children ages 5-11 years old.

This move is being done under the guidance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration.

CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 years and older get an updated COVID-19 bivalent booster, when eligible.

Depending on their age, children can get either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for their booster based on the following eligibility criteria:

-Children 5 years old can get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster, while children ages 6–11 years can get either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna bivalent booster;

-This updated booster is currently offered as a single booster dose for children ages 5-11 years old;

-Children get the booster at least two months since their last COVID-19 primary series or monovalent booster shot.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines add omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and targeting recent omicron variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.

Individuals are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines if they have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for them by the CDC.

No booster doses are currently available for individuals below 5 years of age.

Eligible individuals can obtain a COVID-19 primary or booster shot by calling the CHCC Immunization Program at (670) 236-8745 for scheduling and information.

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at the following locations:

-CHCC Children’s Clinic, Women’s Clinic, and Family Care Clinic, call (670) 234-8951

-Medical Associates of the Pacific, call (670) 323-9000

-Marianas Medical Center, call (670) 234-3926

-Kagman Isla Community Health Center call 670-256-5242

-Tinian Health Center, call (670) 433-9233

-Tinian Isla Health Center call 670-433-4750

-Rota Health Center, call (670) 532-9461

COVID-19 vaccines have undergone and continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history and are available for children as young as 6 months old. Side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine can vary from person to person. They generally go away in a few days. Some people experience a little discomfort and can continue to go about their day. Others have side effects that affect their ability to do daily activities. Even if a person does not experience any side effects, their body is building protection. (CHCC)