On August 20th 2021 the CDC began recommending a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
In light of recent events with the emergence of the COVID-19 delta variant and a rise in COVID-19 case numbers, public health authorities have concluded that a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination might benefit those who are immunocompromised.
Who is immunocompromised?
Immunocompromised is a term used to refer to individuals who have underlying health conditions that can weaken their immune system. A weakened immune system has difficulty fighting off infections and is unable to mount a full defense against an invading virus. If infected with COVID-19, an immunocompromised individual has a greater chance of becoming more sick or being hospitalized. Immunocompromised individuals include the following groups
- Active or recent treatment for cancer.
- Have received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites and other biological agents that suppress the immune system.
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
This is not an exhaustive list of everyone that is considered immunocompromised. If you are uncertain whether you fall into this group, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider.
Who is eligible for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Immunocompromised individuals.
- Those who have received a first and second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
- There has been a period of at least 28 days since you received the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Who should not receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Fully vaccinated people with no known health problems.
- Individuals who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson (J&J/ Janssen) vaccine.
What are the benefits of a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised make up about 3% of the adult population and are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. They are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. An additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can help provide enough protection to fight the virus.
What type of vaccination is the third dose?
The third dose of a COVID-19 vaccination is an mRNA vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna. It is the same type of vaccination as the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations made by Pfizer and Moderna.
What are the risks of vaccination with an additional dose?
According to the CDC, there is limited information about the risks of receiving an additional dose of the vaccine. However, the safety, effectiveness, and benefit of an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised individuals continues to be evaluated.
To date, reactions reported after the third mRNA dose were similar to that of the two-dose series: fatigue and pain at the injection site. These were the most commonly reported side effects. Overall, most symptoms were mild to moderate.
