- People who are moderate to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
- People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity to the 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised.
- People who have compromised immune systems may benefit from an additional dose to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.
- CDC recommends people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.
- This additional dose intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series is not the same as a booster dose, given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time.
- CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.
- CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA
- COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
However: The office of Dr. Sibyl Wray; Hope Neurology and Sweetwater Neurology are recommending that their immunocompromised patients get a booster only after they have their titers checked. If your Covid titers are low, then a booster would be recommended. For patients on Ocrevus and Lemtrada the timing would be 8 months after your vaccine; 4 weeks prior to your next infusion. Oral Drug Modifying Therapies would be 8 months after your last vaccine.
For other monthly Infusions or injectables such as Tysabri, we would recommend that the timing of the booster be 2 weeks prior to your next infusion or shot.
If it has been 8 months since your vaccine and you would like to have your titers checked, please call the office so that we may send an order to your doctor or make an appointment for you to come into our lab. Please do not call about a booster if you have not had your vaccine!