On Jan. 5, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that children ages 12-15 should receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine five months after their initial series of vaccinations against the virus.

"In the studies that we've seen so far, the protection for kids is equal or superior to that of adults," said Beth Ebel, a pediatrician at Harborview Medical Center. 

Ebel says the booster shot is the same dose as the booster currently given to adults and teens ages 16 and 17, and will provide the highest level of protection possible. 

"We all are coming into 2022 wanting a normal life again," said Ebel. "The path to that normal life is going to be vaccinating ourselves, and then using masks when we need to. The whole goal here is to be able to get back to doing the things that are important for our children, for ourselves."

Visit UW Medicine's page for COVID-19 vaccine updates and information.