Pending Authorization of COVID Booster for Immunocompromised Population

August 9, 2021

Last Thursday during a White House briefing, Dr. Fauci stated the need for a booster shot in immunocompromised persons, as they are often unable to produce sufficient antibodies against COVID-19. Dr. Fauci stated that CDC and FDA officials are working to get this population an additional dose “as quickly as possible,” with speculations that this may be possible within the next few weeks.

This group includes those who have received organ transplants, chemotherapy patients, and those who are currently on other immunosuppressive therapies.

In a joint statement released last month, the FDA and CDC stated that “people who are fully vaccinated are protected from severe disease and death, including from the variants currently circulating in the country such as Delta.” The need for boosters amongst the general population has not reached a consensus within the scientific community, and as of now the FDA, CDC, and NIH’s position remains that “Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time.”

Vaccine manufacturers have reported high levels of protection against the Delta variant (1, 2, 3).