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Breaking News Update - January 31, 2022 - FDA Fully Approves Moderna COVID Vaccine
The FDA officially granted full approval to Moderna for its COVID-19 vaccine for use in Americans 18 years of age and older. The vaccine, now sold under the brand name Spikevax, is the second fully approved vaccine for the coronavirus after Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine was approved in August 2021. 

Breaking News Update - November 2, 2021 - FDA and CDC Approve Pfizer Pediatric COVID Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years
The FDA and CDC have authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in children ages 5-11. The pediatric vaccines will be slightly different from the vaccine administered to adults and adolescents and will be administered at a lower dose.

Breaking News Update - October 20, 2021 - FDA and CDC Approve Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID Boosters and "Mix and Match" Approach
The CDC authorized booster shots for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines this week, hours after the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices voted to recommend the authorization. With the Pfizer booster already authorized last month, this means that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved to be given at least six months after the initial series for the following groups:

  • 65 years and older
  • Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
  • Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
  • Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

The Johnson & Johnson booster has been approved for anyone 18 and older who got the J&J vaccine at least two months ago. Click here for a PDF printout of the updates, provided by the Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition. The CDC also endorsed the "mix and match" approach to boosters, allowing eligible people to choose whichever vaccine they wished as a booster.

Breaking News Update - September 24, 2021 - FDA and CDC Approve Pfizer COVID Booster
After intense discussion, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend a booster dose for people 65 and older, long-term care facility residents, and certain people with underlying conditions but voted against recommending a booster for people whose jobs or situations put them at high risk of vaccine breakthrough infection, including health care workers, teachers, and other frontline workers. However, the CDC Dr. Rochelle Walensky overruled the ACIP's recommendation and decided that the CDC would recommend frontline workers get a COVID booster shot, aligning with the FDA's decision from a week earlier. This unusual move means the CDC will now recommend: 

  • people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
  • people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.


Breaking News Update - August 23, 2021 - FDA Fully Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA officially granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech for their COVID-19 vaccine for use in Americans 16 years of age and older. The vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. It will be marketed as Comirnaty. 

Breaking News Update - August 18, 2021 - US Health Officials Recommend Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose
U.S. health officials are recommending all Americans receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine but with a staggered rollout. Currently, certain immunocompromised people (i.e., people who have undergone solid organ transplantation or have been diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise) are eligible for the third dose and can receive it immediately. All other individuals will be eligible starting September 20. APA is providing door and lobby signs to help inform your patients about these changes.

Breaking News Update - May 12, 2021 - FDA, CDC, and ACIP Authorize Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Use in Adolescents Ages 12-15
FDA, CDC, and ACIP have all authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in adolescents ages 12-15 under an emergency use authorization. While the Pfizer vaccine is now authorized for ages 12 and up, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently only authorized for ages 18 and up.

Update - March 30, 2021 - Governor Hutchinson Opens COVID Vaccination to All Arkansans Ages 16+
On Tuesday, March 30, Governor Asa Hutchinson moved Arkansas into Phase 2, making any Arkansan ages 16 and over eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Note: The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for ages 16 and over. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson is approved for ages 18 and over.

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