Floyd's Family Pharmacy gives a COVID-19 vaccination to a person as coronavirus cases (COVID-19), rise in Ponchatoula Louisiana, U.S.A, August 5, 2021. Picture taken August 5, 2021.The Food and Drug Administration approved Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to people with weak immune systems. This was a highly anticipated move that will protect some of the most vulnerable Americans against the highly contagious Delta variant.Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting FDA Commissioner, stated in a statement that doctors can boost immunity in certain immunocompromised patients who require extra protection against COVID-19.According to the FDA, organ transplant recipients as well as people with similar immunocompromised conditions can get a third dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. FDA stressed that all people who are fully vaccinated are "adequately covered" and do not require an additional dose.The FDA OK is not the final word. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccination advisory committee has set Friday for a meeting to discuss shots for people with immunocompromised. Third shots could be initiated immediately if they make a recommendation that is approved by CDC.Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House chief medical adviser, stated last week that federal officials are speeding up regulatory efforts to clear third doses of vaccines for people with HIV and cancer. New data suggests that they don't have an adequate immune response following two doses of the Covid vaccine.Fauci stated Thursday that immune-compromised people are vulnerable. "It is vital that we move to get those individuals boosters. We are currently working on this and will make sure that it is implemented as soon as possible. It is a very high priority." It is a high priority.These people make up only 2.7% of U.S. adults, but 44% of hospitalized Covid breakthrough patients. This is when an infected person becomes infected after a full vaccination, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel.Patients whose immune system is not responding to the first or second vaccine dose might benefit from a third shot.The CDC cited four small studies that showed that 16% to 80% people with weakened immune systems did not have detectable antibodies to fight Covid even after receiving two shots. According to the CDC, 33% to 50% of vaccinated patients developed an antibody reaction after receiving an additional dose.
