AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Public Health (APH) announced late Thursday it will begin following recently announced guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offering vaccines to newly eligible, younger populations.
The latest update has expanded COVID-19 booster shot availability to now include everyone 12 and older, and moderately or severely immunocompromised 5 to 11-year-olds.
Under the updated CDC guidelines, the immunocompromised children may get an additional dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 28 days after their second shot. Furthermore, the interval between doses and a booster was shortened from six months to five for those who received the Pfizer vaccine.
APH currently offers free vaccines for everyone five and older with or without appointments at the Delco Activity Center, Old Sims Elementary Gym and Pfluger Hall. The vaccines are available for those five and older by appointment only at Shots for Tots clinics.
To schedule a vaccine appointment with APH, visit the department's website. Those interested in finding other vaccine providers in their area can search here.
The CDC approved a COVID-19 booster shot for teens ages 12 to 15 on Wednesday and again recommended that older teens get the Pfizer booster shot as well.
APH said more than 70% of those eligible for the vaccine are fully vaccinated and more than 80% have gotten at least one dose.
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