US FDA Authorizes Third Shot of Pfizer or Moderna for At-risk Group

An advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted unanimously Friday in favor of recommending a third coronavirus dose to 2.7 million people with weakened immune systems.

The decision comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday authorized a third shot of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for extremely immunocompromised individuals, who represent less than 3% of the overall population. The FDA's acting commissioner, Dr. Janet Woodcock, said in a statement late Thursday, "The FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease." "Other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected," Woodcock said, "and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time."