F.D.A. Aiming to Speed Extra Vaccine Doses for Immunocompromised Patients

These patients could reap the benefits of vaccinations that go beyond their immediate family. Recent research suggests that persistent infection with coronavirus may result in more severe and potentially deadly variants. These patients should be protected to prevent new variants from arising.The F.D.A. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials. a special program to provide additional shots for immunocompromised patients. The F.D.A. If data from the C.D.C. is available, the F.D.A. intends to change the emergency authorizations for at least two vaccines. Two people familiar with the discussions say they support such a move.The Washington Post first reported the news.The full approval of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is expected to be completed by September or earlier. Dr. Dorry Segev at Johns Hopkins University, a transplant surgeon, stated that if you said that the vaccine is approved by February, that would be a long wait for immunosuppressed patients. We will have a lot more data in the coming months.Dr. Fauci distinguished earlier this week between booster shots for those who have been fully vaccinated, but are experiencing waning immunity. The scientific reasoning for these shots is still unclear. Additional shots are for people with compromised immune systems. Research suggests that at least some people in the latter group require additional doses.Wednesday's condemnation by the World Health Organization of booster shots for fully-vaccinated individuals in rich countries was a sign that poor nations need extra doses. Officials clarified that the criticism was not directed at people with weak immune systems who may not have been adequately protected.