On Thursday, as per earlier expectations reported by several news agencies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)   authorized a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for those Americans who are immuno-compromised due to several ailments that weaken their systems. Physicians can recommend either the Moderna or the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine as a booster to those who were unable to build sufficient antibodies after the first two doses.

The FDA said that the authorization applied to those who have received solid organ transplants and also for those who had compromised immune systems. People who have AIDS or some cancers have compromised immune systems.

On Friday, there is a scheduled meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The authorization for emergency use by the FDA has made it easy for the CDC to recommend the third dose. Its independent advisers had been in favor of such a guideline. Physicians can also begin recommending patients to receive the additional dose as authorization has been completed and the CDC will be releasing its recommendations as well.

Earlier in July, the same panel of advisers at the CDC who are scheduled to meet on Friday, had been requesting federal action on booster doses for the immuno-compromised. Hence, it is possible to say that the CDC will most likely recommend a booster dose for those who have weak immune systems.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, the acting FDA Commissioner said that the federal agency has determined that the small and vulnerable group might benefit from a third dose of Moderna or the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. According to available data, the vulnerable group comprises of less than three percent of the population (2.7 percent). Dr. Woodcock also stated that other individuals who were fully vaccinated were adequately protected. They did not need an additional dose of the vaccine at this period of time.