4th COVID Shot? Some At-Risk Illinois Residents May Be Eligible

CHICAGO — Medical experts are now recommending that some people get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot if they have certain underlying health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC endorsed a third dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in August for moderately or severely immunocompromised people but said it would be part of the primary immunization, rather than a booster shot. In October, the agency said the at-risk population could receive a booster — a fourth dose — six months after their third vaccine.

The federal agency shortened the six-month wait to five months in January, hoping to stem the impact of the omicron variant surge. According to health experts, only about 50 percent of residents who are eligible to get the COVID-19 booster actually have gotten it.

COVID-19 Booster Shots: Where To Find Them In Illinois

CDC officials also recently reported that 54 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients over the age of 65 are unvaccinated, according to an ABC News report.

"Why would people who had enough understanding of the risk to go ahead and get a primary series — why we don't have more getting the booster? I don't have an easy explanation for that," Dr. Anthony Fauci said at a recent White House COVID-19 briefing. "That's one of the reasons why we keep trying to put the data out."

The CDC hasn't said whether people at lesser risk of severe COVID-19 infection should get the fourth dose, and the Food and Drug Administration hasn't considered authorizing one.

Additionally, the CDC's recommendations for more doses puts the agency at odds with the World Health Organization. The WHO acknowledges that data indicates the COVID-19 vaccines' waning effectiveness over time. But the organization believes increasing vaccine access for the entire world needs to be the top priority for ending the pandemic.

“Blanket booster programs are likely to prolong the pandemic, rather than ending it, by diverting supply to countries that already have high levels of vaccination coverage, giving the virus more opportunity to spread and mutate," said WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in December.

But for Illinois residents who want to know whether they're eligible for a fourth dose, here's what the CDC says:

Additional Primary Shot
The primary COVID-19 vaccine course consists of two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna shots and one Johnson & Johnson shot.

• If you received Pfizer: People age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot, given 28 days after their second dose, according to the CDC.
• If you received Moderna: People 18 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary Moderna shot, given 28 days after their second dose, the CDC says.
• If you received Johnson & Johnson: The CDC doesn't recommend an additional primary shot at this time.

Booster Shot for Immunocompromised

• If you received Pfizer: Teens ages 12-17 should only get a Pfizer booster. Adults should get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in most situations. The booster should be given five months after the additional primary shot, according to the CDC.
• If you received Moderna: People age 18 and older can get a booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, given five months after the additional primary shot, the CDC says.
• If you received Johnson & Johnson: Adults can get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines as a booster shot in most situations, given two months after their first shot, according to the CDC.

People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

The CDC considers people to be moderately or severely immunocompromised if they have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency, such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

The agency recommends that people talk to their health care provider about their medical condition and whether getting a fourth shot is appropriate.

But even some pharmacies turned people away from getting a fourth COVID-19 vaccine, according to Kaiser Health News. As a result, the CDC contacted pharmacies Jan. 26 to reinforce the message that people with moderate to severe immune suppression should receive a fourth dose.