On June 18, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation that children ages 6 months through 5 years should receive COVID-19 vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 has caused more than 2 million cases of COVID-19 among children in the United States in this age group. Very young children are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and more than half of hospitalized children ages 6 months through 4 years had no underlying health conditions. Data released from the committee, highlights the importance of vaccinating young children with prior infection to prevent both severe disease and hospitalization. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have significant impact on families across West Virginia. At this time, the Bureau for Public Health is recommending everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.
COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech Dosage and Administration
• The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years is supplied in a multiple dose vial with a maroon cap and maroon color border and administered after dilution with 2.2mL of diluent, as a primary series of 3 doses (0.2mL injection volume each).
• The initial 2 doses are administered 3-8 weeks apart* (see note below about interval), followed by a third dose administered at least 8 weeks after the second dose in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age.
• Please review emergency use authorization (EUA) fact sheet for providers regarding individuals who turn from 4 years to 5 years of age between any doses in the primary series for vaccination options.
• Currently, a booster is not authorized for this age group.
• The EUA fact sheet for providers should be reviewed thoroughly before initiating the start of vaccinations for children 6 months through 4 years. The EUA fact sheet for recipients and caregivers must be provided to parents.
COVID-19 Moderna Dosage and Administration
• The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years is supplied in a multiple dose vial with a dark blue cap and magenta color border and administered as 0.25mL and does not require a diluent, as a primary series of 2 doses (0.25mL injection volume each).
• The 2-dose primary series should be administered separated by 4-8 weeks* (see note below about interval) for individuals 6 months through 5 years of age.
HEALTH ADVISORY #199
CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine for
Children 6 Months through 5 Years
This message was directly distributed by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health to local health departments and professional associations. Receiving entities are responsible for further disseminating
the information as appropriate to the target audience.
Categories of Health Alert messages:
Health Alert: Conveys the highest level of importance. Warrants immediate action or attention.
Health Advisory: Provides important information for a specific incident or situation. May not require immediate action.
Health Update: Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation. Unlikely to require immediate action.
• Currently, a booster is not authorized for this age group.
• For those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, a third primary series dose of the Moderna
COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for administration at least 4 weeks following the second dose.
• The EUA fact sheet for providers should be reviewed thoroughly before initiating the start of
vaccinations for children 6 months through 5 years. The EUA fact sheet for recipients and caregivers
must be provided to parents.
* Interval note: An 8-week interval may be optimal for some people ages 6 months through 64 years, especially
for males ages 12 through 39 years. A shorter interval (3 weeks for Pfizer-BioNTech; 4 weeks for Moderna)
between the first and second doses remains the recommended interval for people who are moderately or
severely immunocompromised; adults ages 65 years and older; and in situations in which there is increased
concern about COVID-19 community levels or an individual’s higher risk of severe disease.
Find a Just In Time Training on COVID-19 vaccination for ages 6 months through 5 years, available at
https://bit.ly/C19JITTraining5under.
Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, a free, online tool that helps people figure out when
they may be due for a COVID-19 shot and what type(s) of COVID-19 shots they are eligible to receive, making
it easier to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination.
For additional information on the COVID-19 vaccines, including a tip sheet on preventing vaccine errors, visit
the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy at https://www.wvbop.com/.
For questions about this advisory, contact the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services (OEPS) at
1-800-423-1271, ext. 1; 304-558-5358, ext. 2; or the 24/7 answering service at 304-342-5151.