CDC Expands Booster Shot Eligibility and Strengthens Recommendations for 12-17 Year Olds
On January 5, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation to expand eligibility of booster doses to those 12 to 15 years old. CDC now recommends that adolescents age 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
Data show that COVID-19 boosters help to broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. ACIP reviewed the available safety data following the administration of over 25 million vaccine doses in adolescents; COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12-17.
VACCINES
Everyone who lives, works, and studies in Massachusetts ages 5 years and older is eligible for, and should receive, the COVID-19 vaccine. You can get the vaccine for free locally and across the Commonwealth.
People ages 5-17 years can get the Pfizer vaccine.
People age 18 years + can get any vaccine.
BOOSTERS
People 12 and older can get a Pfizer booster.
People 18+ can get any booster.
Boosters are a crticial part of the vaccine series.
GETTING VACCINATED LOCALLY
TOWN OF AMHERST HEALTH DEPARTMENT WEEKLY VACCINE CLINIC
The town of Amherst Health Department runs weekly vaccine clinics, by appointment, on Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Bangs Center. The clinic will offer first, second, and booster doses of the vaccine.
► Town of Amherst COVID-19 vaccine scheduling
UMASS AMHERST VACCINE CLINIC, 1st FLOOR OF CAMPUS CENTER
► UMass COVID-19 vaccine scheduling
PHARMACY PROGRAM: CVS AND WALGREENS
► CVS COVID-19 vaccine scheduling
► Walgreens COVID-19 vaccine scheduling
STATEWIDE:
► You can schedule an appointment here: vaxfinder.mass.gov
► Learn more information and get frequently-asked questions answered here: mass.gov/covidvaccine.
GET THE FACTS:
Unfortunately, there is a large amount of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines.
► Visit our Myths & Facts pge here
► This flyer can help you distinguish between facts and myth.
► The CDC has more information here.