The Latest News

• CDC Approves Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 6-17: The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (also known as Spikevax) can be now used as an additional vaccine option for children ages 6 through 17 years. 
• Lower COVID-19 Immunizations Rates in Children, Teens Remain a Concern: The fully vaccinated rate for children 5-11 is currently around 28.8%.  The CDC recently released resources to promote the COVID-19 vaccine for children and teens. 
• CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children Down to 6 Months: On June 18, the CDC approved the ACIP recommendation that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. All people ages 6 months and older are now eligible for vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Interim Clinical Considerations and an At-a-Glance COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule are also available. 
• AAFP Advocates for Access to Care After COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends: Many health professionals are concerned about the impact to health care and coverage when the PHE ends, and the AAFP offered multiple recommendations to ensure there's minimal disruption. 
• FDA Approves Novovax Vaccine EUA for People 18, Older: On June 7, the FDA issued an EUA for the use of Novavax vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years and older. The CDC will review for approval. 
  
• White House Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Plans for Children Under 5: The operational plan will ensure that the vaccines—if authorized by FDA and recommended by CDC—are readily available for the youngest kids. Pre-ordering has opened for the states.
• Long COVID: The Next Fight in an Ongoing Battle: Sterling Ransone, M.D., writes about his own experiences treating patients with long COVID and shares Academy resources members can use.
  
• CDC Health Alert - COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment: After treatment with Paxlovid, a recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms or a new positive viral test after testing negative has been reported to occur 2 to 8 days after initial recovery. Limited information is currently available.
• CDC Recommends Booster Dose for Children 5-11 Years: All children ages 5 through 11 years should now receive a Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine 5 months after completing their primary series. Immunocompromised children should receive a booster 3 months after completing their primary series. 

Important Notice on Masking

Evidence indicates that masks, along with vaccination and physical distancing, are still the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. With highly contagious variants like Omicron, high-quality KN95/KF94 masks, and N95 respirators, are more effective than cloth and surgical masks. In late February, the CDC announced it would use different metrics to support masking and other COVID mitigation guidance. People in areas of high transmission, regardless of vaccination status, should wear masks indoors.

Read the AAFP's policy statement, Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic.