The third shot is not considered a booster, but rather an additional dose for individuals who did not develop adequate immunity from the first two doses.
Several states and counties are offering a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to people with weakened immune systems, in order to provide extra protection as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to soar across the United States. Health departments in Washington state, Los Angles County, and New Jersey announced Saturday that individuals who are immunocompromised can now receive a third jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. The announcements come after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) said Thursday that immunocompromised Americans can get an extra dose of the vaccine. However, prior to the announcement, a CDC database found that more than 1 million Americans have already received a third dose of either Moderna or Pfizer. The recommendation applies to about 3 percent of U.S. adults who are vulnerable to disease due to organ transplants, certain cancers or other disorders. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said earlier this week that the move was an important step « in ensuring everyone, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, can get as much protection as possible from COVID-19 vaccination.
