The CDC has updated it leadership about how long people can wait between the first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC says older children and adults can wait up to eight weeks to get a second vaccination.
This includes the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
However, the waiting time is shorter for children between the ages of five and eleven.
They should receive a second dose three weeks after receiving the first dose.
The health agency says the eight-week interval “may be optimal for some people 12 years of age and older, especially for men 12 to 39 years old.”
It says that increasing the interval between two injections can reduce the risk of myocarditis, which is a type of inflammation of the heart.
Men between the ages of 12 and 39 are most at risk for myocarditis.
Cases of myocarditis have been reported after the second dose but are considered rare.
The CDC further states that going beyond the eight-week window does not provide additional benefits.
Previous recommendations said that the second dose should be given three weeks after the first injection of Pfizer or four weeks after the first injection of Moderna.
The CDC advises people with moderate or severe impaired immunity or aged 65 and older.