Some Marylanders May Be Able To Get 4th Shot Of COVID-19 Vaccine

MARYLAND — Some people should get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency is now recommending a fourth shot for some immunocompromised people.

The CDC endorsed a third dose of the Moderna and Pfizer coronavirus 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 CDC said the at-risk population could receive a booster — a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — six months after getting 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.

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," WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in December.

But for Marylanders 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 and Moderna shots and one Johnson & Johnson shot.

• If you got Pfizer: Those 5 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot 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 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.

Who Is 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 advises people to talk to their health care providers about their medical conditions and whether getting a fourth shot would be 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.

Ronald Klain, the White House's chief of staff, reiterated the message in a Jan. 26 tweet.

"Immune-compromised people should get the shots they need: @CDCgov is going to send stronger messages to pharmacies to make sure this happens," Klain tweeted.

See Also: Hogan Announces $2M In Booster Shot Lottery Prizes

Patch editor Josh Bakan contributed to this report.