Students who are severely immunocompromised should receive a 3rd dose at least four weeks after their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, depending on which mRNA vaccine their first two doses were. A student may be immunocompromised if they

1. Are actively receiving cancer treatment for a tumor or blood-related cancer.
2. Are taking drugs to suppress their immune system after receiving an organ transplant or stem cell transplant
3. “Have moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)”
4. Have an “Advanced or untreated HIV infection”
5. Are currently taking drugs to suppress the immune system such as corticosteroids

Students who believe they fall into one of these categories should speak with their health care provider about their medical condition and if they need to get a 3rd dose.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) amendment for an additional dose only applies to the mRNA vaccines. It does not apply to students who received the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not recommending additional doses or booster shots for any other population at press time.

This additional dose is different from a booster shot, which is given to people whose immunity has decreased over time.
Fully vaccinated immunocompromised people make up a large percentage of breakthrough cases that end up in the hospital.

A third dose may strengthen immunity for immunocompromised people who have little to no immunity after two doses.

Immunocompromised people may not build the same level of immunity to the first two doses that non-immunocompromised individuals do, according to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Data and clinical considerations for
additional doses in immunocompromised people.

For more information on additional doses for immunocompromised individuals, visit COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People.