COVID-19 Booster Shot – Who Needs It?
Less than two weeks after The World Health Organization (WHO) called for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine boosters, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorized additional vaccine dose for certain immunocompromised individuals.
The moratorium, called on August 4 by WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was a plea to the world’s wealthy nations to delay administering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to their population until the end of September of 2021 or at least until vaccination rates in poor countries increase.
Despite efforts from the WHO to shorten the gap between vaccination rates in first and third-world countries, the FDA amended on August 12th the emergency use authorization (EUAs) for both the Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals and/or solid organ transplant recipients, in an effort to combat the fast-spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus.
It is said that fully vaccinated individuals who are not immunocompromised do not need a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot at the moment.
“The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease. After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19. As we’ve previously stated, other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time.”
Further clinical recommendations will be discussed today, August 13th by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
For more information on the recently authorized additional COVID-19 vaccine dose, visit: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-additional-vaccine-dose-certain-immunocompromised
Source: https://www.fda.gov/