The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is encouraging all Alaskans who are immunocompromised to follow a national recommendation to get a three-dose vaccine series now and is also closely following news about a federal plan to offer booster doses starting in late September to all Americans who are already fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
These developments come as a result of new studies released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing decreased protections from a two-dose mRNA series for people with suppressed immune systems, as well as waning protection against infection over time for people who are not immunocompromised. The studies also showed the vaccines still provide strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. However, this new information, along with the high transmissibility of the delta variant, point to the need to strengthen the protections provided by the vaccines.
According to ABC News, only about 3% of Americans, about 10 million people, are expected to get a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID vaccines. Infectious disease experts say that’s because vaccinations are still proving to be effective at preventing severe illness and death in most people, even when so-called breakthrough infections occur. ABC News Contributor Dr. John Brownstein, a vaccine expert, explains:
“Current data shows that if you have a functioning immune system you can mount an effective response to COVID and that will last over time, we’re seeing that at least six to 8 months and we don’t have to be concerned about breakthrough cases if you’re not in that immune-compromised category. I know we talked about it as a booster but really what we’re saying is a third shot for those who really can’t mount an effective response. This includes cancer patients, transplant recipients.”
Dr. Brownstein also said:
“Our expectation is the general public is not going to be in line for a booster any time soon. Of course we have to look at more data. There are studies happening in the U-S and internationally that are looking at two factors. One is immunity waning over time and is the Delta variant chipping away at immunity?”
More information on the CDC’s recommendation for immunocompromised individuals is available here.