All immunocompromised people who are eligible for the third vaccine dose should get their name on a list as soon as possible. People going through cancer treatments, those whose immune systems are weakened from medicines, people who received a stem cell transplant in the past two years, and people who have untreated or advanced HIV are all eligible to receive the third vaccine dose. Those eligible for the booster shot must stay with the same vaccine, like Pfizer or Moderna. Booster shots will become available on September 20th for the immunocompromised and eight months after their original vaccine for everyone else.
Pfizer released data showing that people between the ages of 18 and 55 are five times more protected with the third dose than the 2nd dose. For people between the ages of 65-85, they are 11 times more protected.
Dr. Anthony Fauci highly recommends that those eligible get the booster. “There’s no doubt that over time, you’re going to have an attenuation of protection,” he said on NBC News’ Meet the Press. “If you look at the data from Pfizer — Pfizer shows it went down from the 90s down to around 84 after a few months.”
The entire point of the vaccine is to help one create antibodies. Unfortunately, many immunocompromised people struggle to produce the necessary antibodies, making a booster useful. A study done on immunocompromised people concluded that only 55% of blood cancer patients developed the necessary antibodies, compared to 98% of the general population. Lung transplant patients had the poorest immune response of about 22%.
Pfizer and BioNTech did a study with 306 volunteers, who were already vaccinated, to test reactions and levels of antibodies. Research showed that reactions to the vaccine were similar to those from the first and second vaccines. The levels of antibodies also increased three times as much as the second dose. There are no downsides to getting the third dose, especially for the immunocompromised. Many are at risk from long-lasting and serious illnesses from COVID-19. A third dose for the immunocompromised is suggested as a way to provide additional protection as a precaution. Most of the ‘breakthrough cases’ are made up of the immunocompromised.
Some people may disagree with the booster shot. Fox News interviewed Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, who says, “Clearly the data does not indicate that boosters are needed.” The FDA and CDC, however, have done various studies that all conclude that immunocompromised people are less likely to develop robust antibody responses to the vaccine.
Getting the third dose of vaccine will not make immunocompromised people entirely invulnerable, but still provides better protection than before. Even with the third shot, immunocompromised people are still recommended to wear face coverings, especially around those who are not vaccinated.
Moderna and Pfizer both recommend the third booster. The President of Researching and Medical Development of Pfizer, states in an interview that, “A third dose booster will be needed within six to twelve months after full vaccination to maintain the highest level of protection,” and that Pfizer plans to “evaluate an updated [version] of our vaccine specifically designed to target the Delta Variant.”
Along with Pfizer figuring out booster shots, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may also need a booster. Since their doses were given out at a later date, a decision has not been made yet. For the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, people may benefit from second doses. One dose decreases symptoms, but a second benefits those who are immunocompromised.
Already, other countries around the world have been planning on giving out third doses. Germany, France, and Israel are going ahead and distributing third vaccines to the elderly and the immunocompromised. Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett has been urging her citizens to get the vaccine. “Whoever is over the age of 60, and has yet to receive the third dose of the vaccine, is six times more susceptible to severe illness and – heaven forbid – death,” Bennett said. The U.S. will soon follow suit and provide it to the immunocompromised when more evidence becomes available. People should get the booster shot when it does become available.
Booster shots will be needed to remain protected from the virus. The booster shot could potentially protect people from future variants and most likely prevent variants from evolving.
