US authorises COVID booster jabs for those with weak immune systems to curb spread of Delta variant
As the country is struggling with the Delta variant, this authorization of emergency use for the third injection of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulator, came as a relief.
The United States, in a recent development, authorized an extra dose of COIVD vaccine for people with weakened immune systems. As the country is struggling with the Delta variant, this authorization of emergency use for the third injection of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulator, came as a relief.
In a media statement, Janet Woodcock, acting FDA Commissioner, said that the country had entered yet another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. She told individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of the COVID vaccine at this time. The FDA is especially aware that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease.
The regulator said the additional dose was for solid organ transplant recipients or those with equivalent weakened immune systems.
Meanwhile, the US health authorities have been debating whether the citizens need a third dose or not.
However, more than 619,000 people have passed away in the United States due to COVID, with case numbers increasing sharply in recent months due to the spread of the Delta variant.
In July, US President Joe Biden announced that all federal employees must attest to being vaccinated or face harsh restrictions such as regular testing amid a surge in hospitalizations.