PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
March 3, 2023

Judith M. Persichilli
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Health Commissioner Persichilli Statement on CDC Recommendation on Pfizer Booster for Ages 6 Months to 4 Years Old

TRENTON – The recommendation by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expands the use of the bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for children ages 6 months through 4 years old who have completed their three-dose primary series with the monovalent (single strain) Pfizer vaccine.

Children in this age group who completed their Pfizer primary series with the monovalent vaccine more than two months ago are now eligible to receive a single booster dose of Pfizer’s bivalent vaccine.

The recommendation by the CDC follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expanded authorization on March 14.

As of December 2022, children 6 months through 4 years of age who received the first two doses with monovalent Pfizer vaccine are recommended to complete their three-dose primary series with the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. These children are not eligible or recommended to receive an additional booster dose of a bivalent vaccine at this time. Children 6 months through 4 years of age who previously completed a Moderna primary series remain eligible to receive a Moderna bivalent booster at least two months after completing their 2 dose primary series.

The COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continue to be safe and effective – serving as our most potent tool against serious illness. Getting vaccinated and staying up to date on boosters offers individuals the best protection against COVID-19 and remains an important part of our State’s fight against the virus.  

I encourage individuals who are eligible for the vaccine or booster to visit covid19.nj.gov/finder to locate a vaccine appointment or reach out to the Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545. Residents age 65 and older can reach the call center’s senior hotline at 855-429-1168 for assistance in finding and scheduling an appointment.

 

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth and LinkedIn /company/njdeptofhealth.

 

Last Reviewed: 3/17/2023