CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccines Booster

Recently, there has been new information from the CDC and FDA about COVID-19 vaccines boosters and additional doses for people with compromised immune systems. 

COVID-19 Vaccines Booster Recommended by CDC; Plans Being Developed for Fall Rollout

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current protection from COVID-19 vaccines against severe disease, hospitalization and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccine rollout. For that reason, the CDC recommends that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.

Plans are being developed and more information is to come as these recommendations will depend on the FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence.

 

We appreciate your patience. At this time, Nuvance Health is not administering boosters or additional doses at any of our locations. 

 

Visit Nuvance Health's COVID-19 Hub for more information as these plans continue to develop.


 

FDA Authorizes Additional Dose of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

The FDA has amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

The CDC issued guidance that recommends people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine after the initial 2 doses.

Read the FDA message.
Read the CDC’s Guidance.

 This does not include patients who received the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine.


Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?

The CDC is recommending 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.

 

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine

Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.

 

  • Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available.
  • Contact your state or local health department for more information


 

Frequently Asked Questions from the CDC

How long after getting my initial COVID-19 vaccines can I get an additional dose?

For moderately to severely immunocompromised people, the CDC recommends the additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be administered at least four weeks after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Can you mix and match the vaccines?

For people who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine series, a third dose of the same mRNA vaccine should be used. A person should not receive more than three mRNA vaccine doses. If the mRNA vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or is unknown, either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.

 

What should immunocompromised people who received the J&J/Janssen vaccine do?

The FDA’s recent EUA amendment only applies to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, as does CDC’s recommendation. Emerging data have demonstrated that immunocompromised people who have low or no protection following two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may have an improved response after an additional dose of the same vaccine. There is not enough data at this time to determine whether immunocompromised people who received the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine also have an improved antibody response following an additional dose of the same vaccine.

 

What are the benefits of people receiving an additional vaccine dose?

CDC recommends the additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be administered at least four weeks (28 days) after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

 

What are the risks of vaccinating individuals with an additional dose?

There is limited information about the risks of receiving an additional dose of vaccine, and the safety, efficacy, and benefit of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised people continues to be evaluated. So far, reactions reported after the third mRNA dose were similar to that of the two-dose series: fatigue and pain at injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most symptoms were mild to moderate. However, as with the two-dose series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.

*Source: CDC.gov