NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Around 48% of Tennesseans are fully vaccinated. As boosters have started rolling out across the Mid-State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is opening guidelines for a 4th dose for those who are immunocompromised.
"Moderately and severely immunocompromised people aged ≥18 years who completed an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received an additional mRNA vaccine dose may receive a single COVID-19 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Janssen) at least 6 months after completing their third mRNA vaccine dose. In such situations, people who are moderately and severely immunocompromised may receive a total of four COVID-19 vaccine doses," the CDC said.
According to CBS News, in August, the FDA and CDC greenlit a third dose both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for those who are immunocompromised. This booster would come at least 6 months after that dose.
The CDC includes moderate to severe immunocomporomised people as:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Nearly 3 million Tennesseans are fully vaccinated. More than 350,000 have received a Pfizer or Moderna booster.
