COVID-19: New Administration Code for Pfizer Pediatric Vaccine Booster Dose

On May 17, 2022, the FDA amended the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorization (PDF) to authorize the use of a single booster pediatric dose (orange cap) for all patients 5–11 years old. CMS issued a new code, effective May 17, 2022, for the vaccine administration:

Code: 0074A

• Long descriptor: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNALNP, spike protein, preservative free, 10 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation
• Short descriptor: ADM SARSCV2 10MCG TRS-SUCR B

For more information, visit the COVID-19 Provider Toolkit, and get the most current list of billing codes, payment allowances, and effective dates. (Note: you may need to refresh your browser if you recently visited these webpages).

CDC Strengthens Recommendations and Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots

The CDC is expanding eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone 5 years of age and older. CDC now recommends that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. Since the pandemic began, more than 4.8 million children ages 5 through 11 have been diagnosed with COVID-19, 15,000 have been hospitalized and, tragically, over 180 have died. As cases increase across the country, a booster dose will safely help restore and enhance protection against severe disease.

In addition, the CDC is strengthening its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first. Over the past month we have seen steady increases in cases, with a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans. While older Americans have the highest coverage of any age group of first booster doses, most older Americans received their last dose (either their primary series or their first booster dose) many months ago, leaving many who are vulnerable without the protection they may need to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Whether it is your first booster, or your second, if you haven’t had a vaccine dose since the beginning of December 2021 and you are eligible, now is the time to get one.