Updated: Clinical Guidance For Individuals 6 Months – 11 Years Old

Updated Clinical Guidance For Individuals 6 Months-11 Years Old
– June 22, 2022

Dear NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Provider:

Effective June 18, 2022, the CDC has recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States should receive a COVID-19 primary series vaccination for the prevention of COVID-19. This attached provider guidance has expanded the age range to 6 months-11 years of age accordingly.

A summary of the most recent changes to the Guidance for the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Vaccination of Children Ages 6 Months to 11 Years is outlined below:

• Update as of June 18, 2022: Everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States should receive a COVID-19 primary series vaccination for the prevention of COVID-19.
• On June 18, 2022, the CDC authorized BOTH the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use as a 3-dose primary series in children 6 months through 4 years of age, AND the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use as a 2-dose primary series in individuals 6 months through 5 years of age.
• Additionally, on June 18, 2022, the CDC updated the COVID-19 vaccine schedule for those eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, by age, immunocompetency status and vaccine product.
• The CDC’s interim clinical considerations note that children ages 6 months–4 years who receive different mRNA products for the first 2 doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series should follow a 3-dose schedule. A third dose of either mRNA vaccine should be administered at least 8 weeks after the second dose to complete the 3-dose primary series.
• There are special considerations for the immunocompetent population for an extended interval of 3-8 weeks between Dose 1 & 2 depending on the vaccine product. The moderately & severely immunocompromised have a set interval of 3 weeks or 4 weeks between Dose 1 & 2.
• Individuals should receive the recommended age-appropriate vaccine dosage based on their age on the day of vaccination. According to the CDC, if a child moves from a younger group to an older age group during the primary series or between primary series and receipt of a booster dose, they should receive the vaccine product and dosage for their older age group for all subsequent doses.
• Regarding preterm infants (infants born before 37 weeks’ gestation) as a special population, regardless of birth weight, should receive COVID-19 vaccination at their chronological age and according to the same schedule and guidance as for full-term infants and children.

As previously noted, New York State (NYS) clinical guidance is aligned with CDC clinical guidance, and NYS clinicians are encouraged to read and become thoroughly familiar with the CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States, which is the best source for both general guidance and guidance for special situations.

Attached are updated documents:

• Guidance for the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Vaccination of Children Ages 6 Months to 11 Years
• Information for Health Care Professionals about the Screening Checklist for Administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 6 Months to 11 Years
• COVID-19 Immunization Screening and Consent Form: Children and Adolescents Ages 6 Months to 11 Years
• Information for Health Care Professionals about the Screening Checklist for the COVID-19 Vaccine for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
• COVID-19 Immunization Screening and Consent Form for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

Thank you for your ongoing participation in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

Sincerely,
The NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Team