CDC recommends Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11 years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH has endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. 

Information to know about the pediatric vaccine formulation for ages 5-11:

• Comes as a multiple dose vial with an orange cap and a label with an orange border

• The vials and cartons state ‘for age 5 years to <12 years’

• Must be diluted

• Primary series of 2 doses (0.2 mL each) 3 weeks apart in individuals 5 through 11 years of age

• Is NOT interchangeable with the 12 and older formulations

• See the Factsheet for preparation and administration information of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for ages 5-11. 

Additional Resources:

• CDC webpage on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children 5-11 Years Old 

• American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign Toolkit

CMS COVID-19 Information Webpage & COVID-19 Toolkit: For the CMS' information page on COVID-19, including a COVID-19 vaccine toolkit, click here.

CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Series: CDC is offering a series of brief (15-20 minute) webinars addressing topics around COVID-19 vaccination. These interactive, web-based training modules offer a real-world perspective on different issues around COVID-19 vaccines. For more information, click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Training: This free online CME course for medical professionals offered by NEJM Knowledge+ reviews the principles of vaccine development and how the COVID-19 vaccines fit into this framework. To learn more about this free course, click here.

Workplace Vaccination Program: Making COVID-19 vaccination part of your workplace wellness program offers many benefits to you and your employees. To keep your workplace healthy, consider offering free, on-site COVID-19 vaccination at your business locations. To learn more from the CDC, click here.

V-Safe Program: The V-Safe program is a smartphone only portal from the CDC that allows patients to give feedback on their COVID-19 vaccine experience. Providers are encouraged to tell their patients to enroll. Click here for more details about the program.

COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging Guide: The American Medical Association has posted a COVID-19 Vaccine Guide for Physicians. The AMA's COVID-19 Vaccine Guide for Physicians contains background and actions, evidence-based messaging guidance and best practices for consideration in external communications on COVID-19 vaccine topics.

CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Training for Health care Professionals: To read the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccine Training, including a general overview of immunization best practices for health care providers, click here.

AMA Patient FAQ Fact Sheet on COVID-19 Vaccines: To read the American Medical Association's patient fact sheet about the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers: For fact-sheets about the COVID-19 vaccine for recipients and caregivers from the CDC, click here.

Health care Professionals Interested in Providing COVID-19 Vaccines: If you are a Virginia Health care Professional interested in providing COVID-19 vaccine to your patients or staff, the first step is to complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Intent Form.

CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: The CDC has designed a toolkit to help organizations educate communities about the COVID-19 vaccine.

CDC Vaccine Guidance for Health care Professionals: The CDC has released new guidance for health care providers on preparing for COVID-19 vaccination.

CDC Vaccine Resources: For resources from the CDC about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

The Workplace and COVID-19 Vaccines:  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to include a Vaccination Section. The Vaccination Section addresses some common questions on topics such as an employer requiring employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine and employers administering COVID-19 vaccines to employees.

FDA's Emergency Use Authorization: Read the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine.

Vaccine CPT Code: CMS has provided updates on the vaccine CPT code structure.

CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People: This guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. This guidance can also be applied to COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization.