Thursday, August 19, 2021

CDC, FDA recommend third dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration authorized a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain high-risk, immune-compromised patients. An independent panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unanimously endorsed the FDA decision. It’s now recommended that certain moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. 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

Providence continues to evaluate public health guidance and is closely tracking this new authorization and recommendation. We are currently reviewing the CDC guidance to ensure we understand the recommendation, what it means for our patients and how to operationalize it. Further direction is expected from local public health authorities.