Coloradans living with weakened immune systems are likely eligible for third doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized booster shots for immunocompromised people with certain health conditions. Colorado quickly followed suit Friday.
The authorization is in response to emerging data about vaccine response among immunocompromised people and rising COVID-19 case numbers linked to the delta variant.
“We have enough vaccine inventory in the state to begin administering an additional dose for these immunocompromised Coloradans,” said Diana Herrero with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in a news release. “We want to make sure Coloradans most at-risk of severe outcomes have the best protection they can against the deadly COVID-19 virus.”
Booster shots are available to moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages 12 and older who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. The CDC does not recommend boosters for any other population at this time.
In La Plata County, 73.6% of the eligible population, people ages 12 and older, have received at least one vaccine dose; in Archuleta County, 60.5%, according to CDPHE.
About 68.6% of the eligible La Plata residents are fully vaccinated. About 56.9% Archuleta residents are fully vaccinated.
Delta, known to spread twice as quickly as other variants, is likely the dominant variant both locally and statewide.
The coronavirus poses a unique threat because the human immune system had no experience fighting it before the pandemic.
Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against the new virus. However, people who have weakened immune systems can sometimes have a harder time mounting an immune response, even with the help of vaccines.
This can make them more vulnerable to serious, prolonged cases of COVID-19.
For example, people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised make up about 3% of adults in the United States. However, 44% of hospitalized breakthrough cases are immunocompromised people, according to a preliminary study of 1,210 participants cited by a CDC news release Friday.
Emerging data indicates that immunocompromised people who have low or no protection after two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, such as Moderna and Pfizer, may have an improved response after a booster shot of the same vaccine, according to the CDC.
“There is not enough data at this time to determine whether immunocompromised people who received the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine also have an improved antibody response following an additional dose of the same vaccine,” the CDC said.
The CDC recommends booster shots for people who 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 or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune response.
Immunocompromised people who have COVID-19 are also more likely to transmit the virus to household contacts, according to a 2020 study cited by the CDC.
Even after vaccination, people with weakened immune systems should continue to follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) unless otherwise advised by their health care provider.
Close contacts of immunocompromised people should be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to CDPHE.
“Administering an additional dose of the vaccine for these Coloradans will help us increase their protection and prevent more severe illness, hospitalization and death,” said Herrero, who serves as deputy director of the CDPHE Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response.
Coloradans may self-report their moderate to severe immunocompromising conditions to vaccine providers in order to get an additional dose, according to CDPHE.
Eligible people should try to get a third shot of the same vaccine they originally received. It should be administered at least 28 days after completion of the primary vaccine series.
People should be able to access boosters immediately at enrolled state and federal vaccine providers. Additional doses are free. Patients can find vaccine providers at covid19.colorado.gov/vaccinefinder.
smullane@durangoherald.com
