The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a third Pfizer or Moderna jab for people with weakened immune systems.
The measure allows for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients, the FDA said in a statement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss further clinical recommendations regarding immunocompromised individuals.
“The country has entered yet another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock.
“Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from Covid-19. As we’ve previously stated, other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of Covid-19 vaccine at this time,” Woodcock added.
CDC boss Rochelle Walensky said on Thursday that less than 3 per cent of the population might need the booster vaccination.
US authorities have so far rejected a booster vaccination for the majority of the population, including older people.
A total of 50.3 per cent of the US population of around 330 million people have been fully vaccinated to date.
US authorities are now reporting an average of 110,000 new infections per day.
