What to know about third doses, COVID-19 booster shots

[KARE 11 News, September 12, 2021] One month ago, U.S. regulators approved a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna for those who are immunocompromised.

"It does appear they get COVID worse and it does appear they do not respond to the vaccine as well," said Dr. Frank Rhame, an Allina Health infectious disease specialist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden announced in August plans to start delivering booster shots by Sept. 20 for all Americans, if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CDC. The president said it would apply to those who had received their second shot of Pfizer or Moderna at least eight months ago.

"I think that's optimistic. There is a process here and President Biden did acknowledge at the beginning that process would be held." Dr. Rhame said. "It's not going to happen in the next 10 days. I can guarantee that."

But Dr. Rhame said it is possible it could happen in the next month.

Posted on September 12, 2021 in coronavirus, Vaccine