What You Need to Know
- People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
- People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised.
- People who have compromised immune systems may benefit from an additional dose to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.
- CDC recommends people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.
- This additional dose intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series is not the same as a booster dose, given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time.
- Although CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time, HHS has announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall. CDC’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will continue to meet and discuss data on the evolution of the pandemic and the use of COVID-19 vaccines. ACIP will make further recommendations on the use of boosters for the public after a thorough review of the evidence.
- CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
- UPDATE: On Friday, September 17, 2021 an advisory panel for the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected a proposal from Pfizer-BioNTech to allow for a third dose or the “booster” shot of their COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 years and older. The FDA cited there is not enough data to determine the safety and efficacy of the third dose at this time. However, the panel is potentially considering a booster shot for certain age groups.
- UPDATE: On Wednesday, September 22, 2021 the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the booster shot for people over the age of 65 and those with high-risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 and those whose work puts them at high risk of exposure to the virus. The third booster shot for these groups is expected to be available at the end of the week.
Data on Decreased Immune Response Among Immunocompromised People
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised make up about 3% of the adult population and are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
Studies indicate some immunocompromised people don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do, and may benefit from an additional dose to ensure adequate protection against COVID-19. In small studies, fully vaccinated immunocompromised people have accounted for a large proportion of hospitalized “breakthrough cases,” and that suggests immunocompromised people are more likely to transmit the virus to household contacts.
Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?
Currently, the CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
Booster Information
3rd Dose vs Booster
3rd dose for those who have a moderate to severely weakened immune system and are 5 years or older. If they received two doses of Pfizer, or 18 and older and if they received two doses of Moderna. Can be received at least 28 days after the second Pfizer or Moderna dose.
Booster doses are for Pfizer recipients who are 12 or older: Moderna or Johnson and Johnson recipients who are 18 and older. This can be received at least 5 months after completing the primary dose series for Pfizer and at least six months after completing the primary dose series for Moderna, or at least 2 months after a single Johnson and Johnson dose.
Where can I get the third dose vaccine?
- CVS, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco and Walgreens are among the big U.S. pharmacy chains that offer booster shots for those who are immunocompromised.
- Contact your state or local health department for more information about where in your community they are offering the 3rd dose to eligible individuals.
- The FDA has yet to authorize an additional dose for people who are immunocompromised and received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
- Eligible individuals seeking third doses DO NOT have to receive them at the same clinic where they received their first and second doses.