The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States on Nov. 4, incorporating changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted at the September ACIP meeting. A summary of notable content appears below.
- The COVID-19 vaccination recommendations were updated to reflect individual-based decision-making (also known as shared clinical decision-making) for people age 6 months and older, including vaccination during pregnancy.
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) is no longer authorized for children age 6 months to 4 years. The only FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine available for this age group is Moderna (Spikevax).
- An initial series of Moderna’s Spikevax is now recommended only for children age 6 through 23 months (2024–25 season recommendations included an initial series for children age 6 through 59 months).
- An initial 2-dose series is no longer recommended for previously unvaccinated recipients of the Sanofi-Novavax vaccine (Nuvaxovid).
- An initial series of COVID-19 vaccine remains recommended for all previously unvaccinated people with moderate or severe immunocompromise.
- A second dose of a 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for adults age 65 years or older 6 months after the first 2025–26 dose.