By Sophia Mao

Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control gave its support to the Food and Drug Administration by announcing that they recommend third doses of the covid-19 vaccine for people who have weaker immune systems.

Eventually, after 3 hours of presenting and discussing, the CDC committee made an unanimous decision to recommend the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to the immunocompromised. About 3 percent of Americans have weak immune systems. These can be caused by many things, examples include: genetics, cancer, steroids, medications.

A CDC official, Dr. Neela D. Goswami provided some important information about the third dose. More specifically, some people that are also qualified to get the third dose include those with untreated H.I.V. infections, those who have done certain types of stem cell transplants in the past two years, and those receiving certain kinds of chemotherapy. Dr. Goswami also stated that the people getting the third vaccine should wait at least 28 days after their second vaccine before getting it.

Everyone else, including people with persistent illnesses like diabetes or asthma, should not be getting the third dose. However there are still people who aren’t exactly eligible who are receiving the third vaccine. An FDA commissioner said, “Other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of Covid-19 vaccine at this time.” Over a million people in the US who have already received the second dose have gotten the third dose.

CDC officials still recommend people who have gotten a third vaccine to continue to practice the usual procedures like social distancing, wearing masks, avoiding crowds, etc. People who have weaker immune systems are more likely to get infected despite being vaccinated.

Fortunately, studies have shown that the third vaccine is safe and effective. Not only did it cause antibody levels to increase in organ transplant recipients, it also showed antibody response to those who did not get any from the first two doses.

All in all, the third vaccine seems to be very beneficial for those who need it.

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Links: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/13/us/politics/cdc-covid-vaccine-third-dose.html