El Paso County ready to provide booster shots to kids 5 through 11 if approved by CDC

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) - El Paso County Health Department is waiting for the approval of the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday to move forward with the Food and Drug Administration's authorization use of the booster dose for kids ages five through 11.

Tuesday, the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for children ages 5-11. The first two shots became available in November for this age group. Now, five months later, anyone who got their second shot in December is eligible for the booster shot.

Kids ages 5 to 11 who got their last COVID shot five months ago could get a Pfizer booster shot as early as Friday.

El Paso County Health Department told KRDO they will have more than enough supply once they get the approval.

Kid boosters are coming as COVID-19 cases are on the rise amid a new wave of infections by the Omicron variant.

Doctor Michael Roshon with Centura Health believes parents should consider the booster shot for their children, especially if they are considered 'high risk.'

"Kids in that age group that are really vulnerable, they have some reason to be immunosuppressed or have risk factors, those folks have reason to believe they might benefit from getting a booster dose," said Roshon.

In a statement, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf said more kids are getting sick and hospitalized with the Omicron wave. He also said children may experience longer-term effects during their covid recovery.

The CDC's advisory committee on immunization practices will meet Thursday to discuss COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

From there, officials in El Paso County expect to begin providing boosters for kids.