Several states and counties are offering a third dose of Moderna or Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to people with weakened immune systems to provide additional protection as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to soar in the United States.
Health departments in Washington State, Los Angeles County, and New Jersey announced on Saturday that people with weakened immune systems can now receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The announcement was made in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Food and Drug Administration) And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Said on Thursday that Americans with weakened immune systems can receive additional doses of the vaccine. However, before the announcement, a CDC database found that More than 1 million Americans Has received the third dose of Moderna or Pfizer.
This recommendation applies to about 3% of American adults who are susceptible to diseases due to organ transplants, certain cancers, or other diseases. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said earlier this week that the move is to “ensure that everyone, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, has access to as many COVID-19 vaccines as possible. “Vaccination protection” is an important step.
According to data from the Washington State Department of Health, data show that people with moderate to severe immune system damage do not always build the same level of immunity compared to people who are not immunocompromised. Receiving a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine may give those vulnerable people additional protection from the virus.
“The third dose Pfizer Or Moderna will provide additional protection to those who need it and help us protect some of the most vulnerable from the highly contagious delta variants,” Washington State Health Secretary Umair A. Shah, Said in a statement Saturday. “Science continues to show that vaccines are our best tool to protect communities and slow the spread of COVID-19.”
The extra injection is not technically considered a booster, but an extra injection for people who have not developed enough immunity after the first two injections. According to federal guidelines, individuals receiving the third dose should be vaccinated at least 28 days after the second dose. In addition, it is recommended that individuals receive the same vaccine as the previous two injections.
Currently, it is not recommended for people who have received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to receive additional injections.
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According to WABC reports, in Essex County, New Jersey, as of Saturday noon, more than 300 people had received the third dose of the vaccine.
“Essex County has been hit hardest. We have the most cases and deaths here, so we have to be prepared here, we have a great team, and they are doing a great job,” County Executive Joseph Di Vincenzo said Saturday.
In Los Angeles County, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer (Barbara Ferrer) on Saturday encouraged patients with eligible illnesses to discuss the issue of receiving a third shot with their healthcare provider.
Ferrer said: “We also encourage those who are in close contact with immunocompromised persons to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect family and friends who are at higher risk.”
With the introduction of the new guidelines, COVID Delta variants continue to proliferate across the country.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highly contagious variant is now responsible for The vast majority of new coronavirus cases in the U.S.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, in the past 24 hours, the United States has recorded 290,840 new cases and 1,923 deaths.
By Saturday, 168.1 million Americans had been fully vaccinated against the virus, accounting for about 51% of the country’s population. According to the CDC, nearly 72% of American adults have received at least one injection.
