The Food and Drug Adminstration on Tuesday authorized a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11.
The booster shot can be given to children at least five months after they’ve received the main two-dose, according to the FDA in a statement.
The booster shot is 10 micrograms, one third of the dosage given to people ages 12 and up.
The FDA decision will now proceed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will issue a recommendation about how the booster shots should be used in that age group.
The CDC’s independent group of advisers, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has a scheduled meeting on Thursday to discuss the booster. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walenksy is expected to issue a final recommendation after the meeting.