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

CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots: www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html 

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Near You: www.vaccines.gov

Updates on receiving a third dose of vaccine: From the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication & Outreach Strategies in Primary Care: Even if you are not vaccinating at your practice, you have an important role in educating patients about why the vaccine is beneficial. This document is for you, too.

FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents: Read more about this important step toward ending the pandemic. 

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

Maryland Department of Health Statement on Administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine: To read the Maryland Department of Health's statement about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

Maryland Department of Health Updates on Maryland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan: The Maryland Department of Health provides updated information on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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.

Maryland Department of Health Referral Form for Ambulatory Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID-19: The Maryland Department of Health asks that Physicians complete the information on this form if they believe that their patient could benefit from monoclonal antibody treatment. This form should be sent to the infusion site with closest proximity to the patient.

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.

Updates on Maryland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan: To read the Maryland Department of Health's updates to Maryland's COVID-19 Vaccine Plan, click here.

State of Maryland to Deploy Single-Dose Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: To read the announcement from the Office of Governor Larry Hogan, including additional resources, click here.

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.

Maryland Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan: The Maryland Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan outlines how each of the vaccines work including dosing, possible side effects, and what you need to know about them.

MDH Vaccination FAQS for the Private Sector: For frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for the private sector from the Maryland Department of Health, click here.

MDH Sample Letter for Employers Concerning Vaccines: This sample letter is intended for businesses and practices that that are in the first phase of Gov. Hogan's vaccination plan. Click here to read and download the letter.

AMA Patient FAQ Fact Sheet on COVID-19 Vaccines: click here.

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.

Maryland Referral Form for Ambulatory Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID-19: click here.

Primary Care Practice Referrals to Monoclonal Antibody Infusions: click here.

Gov. Hogan's Executive Order on Required Reporting of Vaccine Administration: click here.

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.

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.

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.

COVID Vaccine Eligibility: Maryland providers wanting to get COVID-19 vaccines can apply here.

Advisory - Marylanders are eligible for ‘no-cost’ COVID-19 vaccinations: The Maryland Insurance Administration states that Marylanders cannot be billed for COVID-19 vaccines; 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.