{"id":40795,"date":"2021-07-29T11:15:33","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T17:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=40795"},"modified":"2025-01-22T09:32:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T16:32:44","slug":"federal-health-experts-soon-could-approve-covid-19-booster-shots-for-immunocompromised-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/federal-health-experts-soon-could-approve-covid-19-booster-shots-for-immunocompromised-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal health experts soon could approve COVID-19 booster shots for immunocompromised people"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Booster shots for immunocompromised people like those with cancer and transplant patients could be approved soon. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Patients with compromised immune systems soon could be first in line in the U.S. to get COVID-19 booster shots and doctors on the front lines are eager to help vulnerable patients boost their antibodies.<\/p>\n

An advisory committee<\/a> for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a> met on July 22 and reviewed evidence showing that fully-vaccinated, immunocompromised people are less protected from the coronavirus and could benefit from COVID-19 booster shots. Decisions from federal health authorities about COVID-19 booster shots could come soon.<\/p>\n

Dr. Thomas Campbell<\/a> supports booster shots for immunocompromised patients. He has had a unique vantage point during the pandemic. He has overseen clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a> on the Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a>. Through his research, Campbell got an early look at how safe and remarkably effective the vaccines have been. He also has cared for patients who have been critically ill with the coronavirus.<\/p>\n

As the highly transmissible delta variant overwhelms communities in Colorado, the U.S. and around the world, the number of hospitalized patients is spiking again.<\/p>\n

More than 97% of patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 across the U.S. have not received vaccines, according to CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky.<\/p>\n

But, doctors are seeing patients with breakthrough cases of COVID-19, meaning that the patients were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, yet still tested positive for the coronavirus. The people with breakthrough cases who have been the sickest have been those with compromised immune systems, Campbell and others have said.<\/p>\n

For example, Campbell recently cared for a patient at University of Colorado Hospital<\/a> who had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine months ago and still contracted COVID-19. The patient also has cancer and seemed more susceptible to a breakthrough case of COVID-19 due to underlying health problems. The patient did not need to be on a ventilator, but was very sick and needed supplemental oxygen, Campbell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to try to prevent these breakthrough cases and there is good evidence now that an extra vaccine dose might help,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n

\"Booster
Dr. Thomas Campbell supports booster shots for immunocompromised people to prevent breakthrough cases of COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Dr. Thomas Campbell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In particular, people with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and patients who have had organ or bone marrow transplants and those who are taking immunosuppressive medications have not been able to build up the same level of antibodies to COVID-19 as people without underlying health conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese immunocompromised people are at increased risk for getting very sick and being hospitalized for COVID-19,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cWe know that giving them a third dose will increase the chance that they will have increased antibodies against the SARS-CoV2 spike proteins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Researchers are still learning whether increased antibodies in an immunocompromised patient\u2019s body will help them ward off COVID-19.<\/p>\n

But since COVID-19 vaccines are in good supply in the U.S. and some may expire soon, many patients and doctors are eager to see booster shots approved.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to get protection,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n

During the July meeting of the CDC\u2019s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,<\/a> Dr. Sara Oliver of the CDC presented research and data about immunocompromised people and COVID-19.<\/p>\n

About 2.7% of adults are considered immunocompromised.<\/p>\n

They include the following:<\/p>\n