The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has clarified the COVID-19 vaccination schedule for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised to better protect them from the potential severe consequences of COVID-19. These changes are designed to eliminate confusion about vaccine recommendations and to help ensure they have optimal protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
CDC guidance for COVID-19 vaccination includes the following for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:
· An update that people who have completed a primary series of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) are recommended to receive an mRNA booster dose 3 months (instead of 5 months) after the last primary dose.
· An update that people who have received a single Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine should receive one additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and one booster dose (preferably mRNA) for a total of 3 vaccine doses.
· A clarification of a current recommendation to confirm that those who have completed their primary series of 3 mRNA doses should receive an mRNA vaccine booster dose—to make a total of 4 doses.
· People who previously received passive COVID-19 antibody products (monoclonal antibodies) do not need to wait for any period prior to COVID-19 vaccination.
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have lower vaccine effectiveness, and their vaccine protection wanes over time. They may not develop protective immunity after a primary series, even when the recommended 3-dose mRNA vaccine primary series is used. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can receive all doses anywhere vaccines are offered, and proof is not needed.
To view the CDC table with an immunization schedule for booster shots, frequently asked questions, and other information go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
For information from the Alabama Department of Public Health on COVID-19 visithttps://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/index.html
