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CDC: Longer gap between first two Pfizer jabs for some, particularly young men

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new COVID-19 mRNA vaccine guidance, expanding the recommended time between the initial two vaccine doses to eight weeks for some people over 12, particularly young men.

Previously, they recommended a three-week gap between initial doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and four weeks for the Moderna vaccine. This timeline is still recommended by the CDC for immunocompromised people, those older than 65 years, or needing rapid protection against the coronavirus.

CDC now believes that increasing the gap between the first two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines might reduce the risk of severe side effects, such as myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart wall.

“While absolute risk remains small, the relative risk for myocarditis is higher for males ages 12-39 years, and this might be reduced by extending the interval between the first and second dose.”

The five-month minimum period between completing the initial vaccine series and receiving a booster shot remains unchanged.

 

COVID-19-immunization-schedule-ages-5yrs-older

 

 

CDC Interim COVID-19 Immunisation Schedule (Open access)

 

 

See more from MedicalBrief archives:

 

 

AHA ‘Expression of Concern’ over study on mRNA vaccines and cardiac inflammation

 

mRNA vaccines may pose acute coronary syndrome risk — US study

 

ACDP applies for interdict to halt vaccine roll-out to children aged 12-17

 

Pfizer vaccination linked to 3x high risk of myocarditis — Israel study

 

CDC investigates 'relatively few' reports of myocarditis from Pfizer vaccination

 

 

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