News: FDA and CDC suggest booster COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended emergency use authorization (EUA) for both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for an additional, “booster” dose for immunocompromised individuals. Specifically, those individuals who are solid organ transplant recipients or who are diagnosed with conditions considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise are authorized for the additional vaccine dosage.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (on top of the initial two doses) for better protection against the virus. The CDC recommends those with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive the third dose of the vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose. At this time, the CDC is not recommending additional doses or boosters for any other population.

Those who are immunocompromised and may benefit from receiving a third vaccine dose are people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medication to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medication to suppress the immune system
• Moderate of severe primary immunodeficiency (for example DiGeorge syndrome and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress immune response

Those who fit into the above categories should speak with their healthcare providers about their medical condition and whether an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose is appropriate for them.

Editor’s note: The FDA press release can be found here. The CDC press release can be found here.