The United States has allowed people with weakened immune systems to receive a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, to boost their protection against the disease.
This case concerns in particular recipients of solid organ transplants.
People with weakened immune systems may receive a third dose of the Covid Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to boost their protection against the disease, the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) announced on Thursday.
"The country has entered a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the FDA is fully aware that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk of contracting serious illness," said the acting commissioner of the agency , Janet Woodcock, for explaining this permission.
Special cases
This 3rd dose is intended for solid organ transplant recipients or those with weakened immune systems, the press release said. "Other people who have the full vaccination schedule are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of the Covid vaccine to date," added Ms Woodcock. US health officials have debated whether a 3rd dose is necessary, following such a move by Israel.
More than 619,000 people have died in the United States from Covid-19, and the number of cases of contamination has increased sharply in recent months due to the spread of the Delta variant. The rapid pace of vaccination in the country has slowed especially in the politically conservative regions of the South and Midwest, and among younger people, low-income people and racial minorities.