COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
Updated Aug. 18, 2021
NOTICE: HHS announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall. CDC’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will continue to meet and discuss data on the evolution of the pandemic and the use of COVID-19 vaccines. ACIP will make further recommendations on the use of boosters for the public after a thorough review of the evidence.
What You Need to Know
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People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
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People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised.
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People who have compromised immune systems may benefit from an additional dose to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.
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CDC recommends people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.
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This additional dose intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series is not the same as a booster dose, given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time.
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CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.
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CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
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Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?
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Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:
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Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
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Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
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Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
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Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
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Advanced or untreated HIV infection
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Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
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People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
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For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
COVID-19 Vaccination
All persons 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive the vaccine in Florida
The Food & Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 12 years of age or older. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons age 12 and up. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccines are authorized for persons age 18 and up. All individuals under the age of 18 receiving a vaccine must be accompanied by a guardian.
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All Florida residents 18 years of age or older and persons providing goods and services to Floridians are eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatments
Monoclonal antibody treatments (MAB) can prevent hospitalization or death in high-risk patients with COVID-19 and are widely available in Florida.
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Individuals 12 years and older who are high-risk, that have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19, are eligible for this treatment. Treatment is free and vaccination status does not matter. Learn more here.
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To Find State-Supported MAB Locations in Florida, click here
To Make an Appointment at a State of Florida site, click here
To Find Other Monoclonal Antibody sites, click here