The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a third booster shot for Americans with weakened immune systems. The approval is for the COVID vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna. Roughly three percent of the U.S. population are considered immunocompromised.
The decision was made after data showed that some immunocompromised individuals showed almost no immune response to the vaccine. In one study, 44% of breakthrough cases were in people with a weakened immune system.
"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," acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement. "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."
The agency stressed that it has not approved the booster shot for the general public.
"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," Woodcock said. "The FDA is actively engaged in a science-based, rigorous process with our federal partners to consider whether an additional dose may be needed in the future."
On Friday (August 13), the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met to discuss the booster shot. They voted to approve it and said that it should be given to cancer patients who are currently undergoing treatment that compromises their immune system, people with immunodeficiency syndromes, and people who have received organ transplants.
The panel said that the booster shot only applies to people who received vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer and suggested they should get the same vaccine for the booster shot.
Once the decision is approved by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, doctors and healthcare professionals will be able to start giving out booster shots.