Office of the Governor | Statement from Governor Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Persichilli on CDC Recommendation of COVID-19 Boosters that Target Omicron Variant for Everyone Ages 5 and Older

The federal Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) has expanded the usage of the up to date COVID-19 bivalent booster dose to youngsters ages 5 by 11 years, so everybody ages 5 and older is now really helpful to obtain a bivalent booster dose this fall.

Youngsters ages 5 and older can obtain their COVID-19 bivalent booster dose two months after their most up-to-date booster or the completion of their major vaccine collection. As bivalent vaccines, these boosters provide stronger protections towards extreme sickness and loss of life by concentrating on each the unique COVID-19 pressure in addition to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

The advice by the CDC follows the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of up to date COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech for kids ages 5 by 11 years and from Moderna for kids and adolescents ages 6 by 17 years.

With yesterday’s authorization, the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now not approved as a booster dose for people 5 by 11 years of age. Each the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine proceed to be approved for major collection administration in people six months of age and older.

New Jersey vaccine suppliers have already got a provide of the Moderna bivalent boosters; pre-orders for the Pfizer bivalent vaccine had been positioned and can quickly be obtainable in New Jersey.

The COVID vaccines, together with the up to date boosters, are secure and efficient. As cooler days are upon us and gatherings start to maneuver indoors – significantly with many holidays across the nook – we encourage all eligible people to get vaccinated and boosted to guard themselves, their households, and our communities at massive.

We stay dedicated to our efforts to make sure that vaccination websites are outfitted with satisfactory vaccine provides and stand able to serve the general public in places offering the best accessibility to our residents, particularly those that are most weak.

We’ve made vital progress within the combat towards COVID-19 and may maintain our family members and communities wholesome by persevering with to work collectively. Staying up-to-date with vaccines and boosters, together with each the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, stays one of the simplest ways to guard particular person and public well being from these infectious ailments.

We encourage people who’re eligible for this booster to go to covid19.nj.gov/finder to find a vaccine appointment or attain out to the Vaccine Name Heart at 855-568-0545 for those who want help to find and scheduling an appointment.