US to Begin 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Dose as Early as This Week... Targeting Some Immunocompromised Individuals

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] In the United States, the fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose is expected to begin as early as this week.

The target group is expected to be some patients with weakened immune systems.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 9th (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the administration of the fourth vaccine dose starting this week, five months after the booster shot given last August.

On August 13 last year, the CDC allowed patients with compromised or weakened immune systems to receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

However, the CDC considered this not as a booster shot (additional dose) but as a measure to supplement the complete vaccination series, which consists of two doses.

Last week, the CDC shortened the interval for booster shots of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from six months to five months.

According to the CDC, there are an estimated 7 million immunocompromised patients in the United States.

However, the NYT reported that "the exact size of the immunocompromised population eligible for the booster shot is uncertain."

Previously, as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spread in the U.S., some patients taking immunosuppressants due to organ transplants received fourth and fifth vaccine doses without CDC approval.