FDA approves COVID-19 booster shot for transplant recipients, other immunocompromised Americans

Transplant recipient vaccinated
(Image credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images)

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday night gave formal approval for severely immunocompromised Americans to get a third shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Studies have shown that transplant recipients and others with seriously weakened immune systems don't get the same level of protection against the coronavirus from the first two doses, but many mount a stronger immune response after a third dose.

"Today's action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, the FDA's acting commissioner. Less than 3 percent of the U.S. population will be approved for the booster shot, and the FDA's statement did not mention immunocompromised people who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And it isn't clear which high-risk groups would benefit from a booster shot.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.