Asian Tech Press (Jan 6) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended on Wednesday Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster doses for ages 12 to 15 years.

The health authority said in a media statement that it approved the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendation to expand eligibility of booster doses to those 12 to 15 years old.

The expansion allows adolescents aged 15 to 17 years in the United States to receive a booster dose five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.

"This booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.