Extra vaccine dose for immunocompromised
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that some immunocompromised people are recommended and eligible, to get an additional dose of Pfizer (ages 12 and up) or Moderna (ages 18 and up) COVID-19 vaccine, following a completed series.
“Our nation’s leading medical experts have reviewed the available data and made this recommendation to improve protection against COVID-19, for some of our most vulnerable populations,” said DHS secretary- designee Karen Timberlake. “Clinical experts reviewing data from the first months of administering COVID-19 vaccines, have determined that certain medical conditions and treatments, keep people from building the full immunity we would expect from the original two-dose mRNA vaccine series.”
After rigorous review of all available data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the additional dose for certain immunocompromised people Aug. 13.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), voted unanimously to recommend an additional dose for individuals with specific medical conditions, or who are receiving treatments that are associated with moderate to severe immune compromise.
This includes people who received 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 two years, or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
It also includes those who have moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome); advanced or untreated HIV infection; and who have active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents, classified as severely immunosuppressive or tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers.
“The science has shown that those with weakened immune systems often do not develop the same level of immune response after their initial COVID-19 vaccine series, as those with uncompromised immune systems,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer for the Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
Westergaard says if someone is not included in this new group of individuals recommended for an additional dose, they should be reassured that the data shows good protection with the one or two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, at this time.
The additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be administered at least 28 days after completing the primary COVID- 19 vaccine series. The ACIP recommends that patients should receive the same vaccine product as the first two doses. However, if that is not feasible, a dose of the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is permitted.
If a person thinks they may be eligible, or are interested in additional information about the recommendation for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine, visit dhs.wisconsin. gov.
At this time, fully vaccinated people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised, do not need an additional COVID- 19 vaccine dose. As more information on additional, or booster, doses for the general public becomes available, the DHS will update the public.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider, visit Vaccines.gov, or call 211.
