As we all know that the world has entered into yet another wave of covid-19 pandemic. All the health agencies are constantly working on ways to curb the risk of Covid-19. Recently FDA and CDC recommended 3rd dose of covid-19 vaccine for some immunocompromised people.
Who Needs an Additional 3rd dose of COVID 19 Vaccine?
Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people should take an additional dose. This includes people who have:
1.Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
2. Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
3. Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
4. Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
5. Advanced or untreated HIV infection
6. Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Why 3rd dose of covid-19 vaccine is recommended?
People who are immunocompromised or those who have undergone solid organ transplantation have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. They are more likely to get severely ill from Covid-19.
Studies indicate some immunocompromised people don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do. They may benefit from an additional dose to ensure adequate protection against COVID-19.
In small studies, fully vaccinated immunocompromised people have accounted for a large proportion of hospitalized “breakthrough cases,” and that suggests immunocompromised people are more likely to transmit the virus to household contacts.
So basis the available information, FDA has recommended administration of third vaccine doses. This may increase protection in this immunocompromised population.
however, people are still advised to maintain physical precautions to help prevent COVID-19. In addition, close contacts of immunocompromised persons should get vaccinated, to provide increased protection to their loved ones.
3rd dose of which vaccines are recommended?
CDC has recommended the additional 3rd dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.
This additional dose 3rd dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be administered at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is currently authorized for emergency use in individuals ages 12 and older. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals ages 18 and older.
Both vaccines are administered as a series of two shots. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered three weeks apart, and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is administered one month apart.
The authorizations for these vaccines have been amended to allow for an additional, or third, dose to be administered at least 28 days following the two-dose regimen of the same vaccine to individuals 18 years of age or older (ages 12 or older for Pfizer-BioNTech) who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
Before getting the 3rd dose it is advisable to talk to your healthcare provider. Discuss about the medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Is there a 3rd dose of Covid vaccine?
Yes, currently recommended only for immunocompromised people.
2. Is the 3rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine recommended to healthy people?
Currently, CDC has recommended additional doses or 3rd dose of covid-19 only to immunocompromised people.
3. Is the 3rd dose recommended to other members of the family who are staying with immunocompromised person?
As Immunocompromised people don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do, and therefore may benefit from an additional dose to ensure adequate protection against COVID-19
So 3rd dose is no recommended to other Close contacts however, to increase protection t their loved ones, they should get vaccinated as per the vaccine guidelines for general population.
4. Is 3rd dose of Covid vaccine safe?
There is limited information about the risks of receiving an additional dose of vaccine, and the safety, efficacy, and benefit of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised people continues to be evaluated.
So far, reactions reported after the third mRNA dose were similar to that of the two-dose series: fatigue and pain at injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most symptoms were mild to moderate.
5. Is there 3rd dose of Pfizer?
Yes. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a series of two shots with a gap of three weeks. Third dose is to be administered at least 28 days following the two-dose regimen to individuals ages 12 or older for Pfizer-BioNTech.
It is recommended to people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
6. Is there 3rd dose of Moderna?
Yes there is a 3rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is is a series of two shots which is administered one month apart. An additional, or third, dose to be administered at least 28 days following the two-dose regimen of the same vaccine to individuals ages 12 or older for who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
7. What should immunocompromised people who received the J&J/Janssen vaccine do?
The FDA’s recent emergency use authorizations (EUA) amendment only applies to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, as does CDC’s recommendation.
8.Can you mix and match the vaccines?
For people who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine series, a third dose of the same mRNA vaccine should be used. A person should not receive more than three mRNA vaccine doses. If the mRNA vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or is unknown, either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.
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