Back in August, federal officials had approved a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines in August, directing users to receive it at least 28 days after their second shot.
According to current CDC recommendations, certain American adults with weakened immune systems who received the third dosage of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine designated specifically for them will be eligible for a booster shot next year.
According to current CDC recommendations, certain American adults with weakened immune systems who received the third dosage of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine designated specifically for them will be eligible for a booster shot next year. (Photo: GettyImages)
For Immunocompromised Individuals
COVID-19 vaccinations that are now FDA-approved or FDA-authorized are not live vaccines and hence can be safely delivered to immunocompromised individuals. However, in a small number of studies, decreased vaccine efficacy was seen in immunocompromised participants compared to non-immunocompromised subjects.
In some immunocompromised individuals who received mRNA COVID-19 primary vaccine doses, small studies have shown that an extra mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dosage may boost antibody response, increasing the proportion of those who respond.
Immunocompromised individuals who had their third mRNA vaccination dose can receive a booster shot in February. The government stated that individuals might choose from any of the three coronavirus vaccines available in the United States for the booster.
A Nurse administering the COVID Pfizer Vaccine. According to current CDC recommendations, certain American adults with weakened immune systems who received the third dosage of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine designated specifically for them will be eligible for a booster shot next year. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Fourth Dose
According to CBS News, about 3 million extra doses were provided under the guidelines before Pfizer’s booster shots were allowed and recommended for a broader range of Americans last month. In August, the CDC projected that approximately 2.3 percent of American adults are immunocompromised, albeit only a small percentage of these 7 million persons would require an “additional” dose.
According to NBC News, Dr. Dorry Segev, professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University, who is studying COVID vaccine responses in immunocompromised people, stated that six months after attaining a sufficient degree of protection, the protection would wane. After that, it is a must to bolster that by having the boosters.
“Out of the 11 million immunocompromised people in this country, some of them were fine with two doses,” Segev said. “Some of them were not fine with three doses. Some of them do need a fourth dose.”
The CDC recommends the fourth dosage only for immunocompromised persons who received their primary vaccination with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. At the same time, immunocompromised individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are encouraged to obtain a second dose at least two months after their original dosage, as per Newsweek.
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