Yesterday, The FDA released the authorization of a booster vaccine for immunocompromised individuals. The booster vaccine will include two shots of either Pfizer (12 y/o and older) or Moderna (18 y/o and older).
Individuals that qualify for the booster shot are organ transplant recipients or individuals with an equivalent health-related reason. As of now, the booster vaccine does not apply to anyone that is not immunocompromised.
“Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection,” said FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “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.”
The FDA and CDC also recommend for immunocompromised individuals to discuss with their physician the possibility of receiving monoclonal antibody treatment if they contract COVID-19. As of now, monoclonal antibody treatments are being used for emergency use only and can be administered at your local hospital.
If you have not received the vaccine yet, and you are immunocompromised, you must receive your first two doses of the shot before you receive the additional booster shot. For individuals that are not immunocompromised, it is still important that you receive the vaccine to further protect yourself from the delta variant.