COVID-19 boosters available for Washington children

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Health has announced that booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are now available for children 5 to 11 years of age. The DOH is recommending a booster dose of vaccines for children who have received their initial vaccinations.

A DOH press release said booster doses are recommended for children 5 to 11 years of age five months after they receive their initial vaccinations. Children who are immunocompromised should receive their booster at least three months after their primary vaccination series.

Department of Health officials are recommending a booster dose for everyone 12 years of age and older, the press release said. People who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should get a booster shot five months after their initial vaccination series, and people who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster after two months.

A second booster is recommended for people 50 years and older, four months after the first booster. People 18 years of age and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get a second booster four months after the first booster, the press release said.