Matt Percy, MD
Co-Chief Medical Officer, Rifle Site Medical Director
I last wrote an update for our November 2021 newsletter on COVID vaccines. At that time, I was excited about initial booster doses being approved for all ages as well as the impending approval of a vaccine for children ages 5-11. In the eight months since we have had several new waves with Omicron variants, but also made even more progress on the vaccine front, with vaccines now available for anyone six months and older and second boosters available for the highest risk people. The latest dominant Omicron subvariants in the US are the most contagious yet, and we are likely not reporting many cases due to increased use of home antigen testes. We are, however, thankfully also seeing lower incidence of severe illness and death. This is due to a combination of immunity from vaccines and prior infection in the general population as well as new therapeutic options aimed at preventing severe disease in high-risk COVID positive patients. The single best thing you can do to protect yourself from severe COVID remains to get and stay up-to-date with your COVID vaccine.
I will summarize the latest vaccine recommendations below, sorted from youngest to oldest. In an attempt to simplify what has become a very complex menu of vaccine options, Mountain Family has chosen to stock only Pfizer brand vaccines for all ages at this time, so the below references Pfizer only. Our local public health, hospital, and pharmacy partners have other brands available should you prefer them.
Ages 6 months through 4 years
A three-dose Pfizer vaccine series is now approved under emergency use authorization using a second dose recommended three to eight weeks after the first dose and the third dose at least eight weeks after the first dose. I am particularly excited about this approval as it opens another segment of the population up for protection via vaccination. Children this age are considered “up-to-date” two weeks after the final dose in the series
Ages 5 through 17 years
Two doses of Pfizer vaccine spaced three to eight weeks apart is recommended for the initial series. A booster dose is recommended five months after completion of the initial series. Children are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the initial series completion and up-to-date immediately after booster, when eligible.
Ages 18-49
Two doses of Pfizer vaccine spaced three to eight weeks apart is recommended for the initial series. A booster dose is recommended five months after completion of the initial series. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the initial series completion and up-to-date immediately after booster, when eligible.
Ages 50+
Two doses of Pfizer vaccine spaced three to eight weeks apart is recommended for the initial series. An initial booster dose is recommended five months after completion of the initial series. A second booster dose is recommended four months after the first booster. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the initial series completion and up-to-date immediately after booster, when eligible. Note that younger immunocompromised persons over age 12 are also eligible for a second booster/4th dose.
Please contact your primary care provider with any questions. Stay safe this summer and get vaccinated.