The CDC has released new guidelines for immunocompromised people receiving a booster COVID vaccine:
The CDC recommends an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine for moderately to severely immunocompromised people. This includes people who have completed a vaccination series with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna and have the following:
- 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 two years or are taking medication 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
- Your additional dose of vaccine must be administered at least 28 days after your vaccination series has been completed. The CDC recommends the same vaccine as previous doses for eligible immunocompromised people, and recipients must be ages 12+ for Pfizer-BioNTech or ages 18+ for Moderna. Johnson & Johnson patients are not eligible for an additional dose at this time.
Your healthcare provider has the ultimate decision about the patient’s medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate.