Third vaccine dose recommendeed to immunocompromised in Washington

The Washington State Department of Health announced Saturday health care providers will be offering a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to people who are immunocompromised.

“A third dose of Pfizer or Moderna will provide those who need it extra protection and help shield some of our most vulnerable from the highly contagious delta variant,” the state’s secretary of health, Umair A. Shah, said. “Science continues to show vaccines are the best tool we have to protect our communities and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Data showed immunocompromised people, at times, do not develop as much protection against COVID-19 with the vaccine, according to the department’s statement. 

The department says the third shot is not considered a booster shot but is recommended to those who likely didn’t develop adequate protection from the first two jabs.

The health department said the third dose should be taken at least 28 days after their second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Although getting the same vaccine for the third dose is recommended, either mRNA vaccine can be used for a third dose.

Those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not recommended to get another shot, according to the statement.

The news comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday its official recommendation for immunocompromised individuals to get a third shot.

“At a time when the Delta variant is surging, an additional vaccine dose for some people with weakened immune systems could help prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19 cases within this population,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated.

The Hill has reached out to Washington State Department of Health for additional comment.