Reports: FDA expected to authorize COVID-19 booster for immunocompromised

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Various national news outlets on Wednesday evening reported that the Food and Drug Administration was poised to approve a third vaccine dose for people who are immunocompromised.

The news was first reported by NBC News, which cited two sources familiar with the plans. The news outlet reports that the FDA aims to amend the emergency use authorizations for the Pfizer and Moderna shots, allowing people with compromised immune systems to get a third dose.

NBC reported the change could occur as soon as Thursday.

Researchers report a third dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine substantially improved protection for organ transplant recipients. Their weak immune systems don’t always rev up enough with the standard two shots.

Canadian researchers divided 120 transplant recipients, giving half a third dose and the rest a dummy shot two months after they finished standard vaccinations.

It’s the most rigorous attempt yet to tell if a third dose in these vulnerable patients helps. The results were published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.