August 13, 2021

Media Contact:

Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536

Charles Gischlar, Deputy Director, Media Relations, 410-767-6491

Media Advisory: Maryland Department of Health Statement on Approval of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines for Immunocompromised individuals.

Baltimore, MD -  Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) amendment of the emergency use authorizations for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow specific individuals with compromised immune systems to receive a third additional vaccine dose.  

“We welcome and fully support the CDC’s approval to administer a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to immunocompromised Americans,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “This is another important tool we can use to protect our most vulnerable Maryland residents and we encourage them to get this third shot and for health care providers to begin administering them as soon as possible.”

While people who are immunocompromised make up about 3% of the U.S. adult population, they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Included in CDC’s recommendation are people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others.  A full list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website and patients should talk to their doctors to determine if they need an additional dose and what the timing of that dose should be. CDC does not recommend additional doses for any other population at this time.

For the most recent Maryland COVID-19 data, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov.

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.