The last major hurdle has been cleared before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approves COVID-19 booster shots for those with compromised immune systems.Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices voted unanimously to approve the boosters. Now, the CDC is expected to sign off on the approval.“I screamed with excitement," said kidney transplant recipient Wendy Anthony. "We knew it was coming."The list of those who should get the boosters may leave some grey areas, but it’s almost certain to include organ transplant recipients.“For transplant recipients, because we’re so immune suppressed, we have to take medications every 12 hours for the rest of our lives, that lower our immune system. COVID is particularly dangerous for us,” Anthony said.Medications that keep the immune system suppressed help to keep the body from rejection the organ, but it also makes it vulnerable to viruses.“When a transplant recipient, chance of death is much higher. About 30 percent of the transplant patients are dying when they get COVID. So, it’s frightening,” Anthony said.Experts are recommending patients check with their doctor before getting a booster.
The last major hurdle has been cleared before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approves COVID-19 booster shots for those with compromised immune systems.
Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices voted unanimously to approve the boosters. Now, the CDC is expected to sign off on the approval.
“I screamed with excitement," said kidney transplant recipient Wendy Anthony. "We knew it was coming."
The list of those who should get the boosters may leave some grey areas, but it’s almost certain to include organ transplant recipients.
“For transplant recipients, because we’re so immune suppressed, we have to take medications every 12 hours for the rest of our lives, that lower our immune system. COVID is particularly dangerous for us,” Anthony said.
Medications that keep the immune system suppressed help to keep the body from rejection the organ, but it also makes it vulnerable to viruses.
“When a transplant recipient, chance of death is much higher. About 30 percent of the transplant patients are dying when they get COVID. So, it’s frightening,” Anthony said.
Experts are recommending patients check with their doctor before getting a booster.
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