Is It ‘Too Little, Too Late’ for COVID-19 Booster Recommendations to Stop the Delta Surge?

News concerning the advisability and availability of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines has been evolving almost as quickly as data regarding new cases of the virus itself lately. Most striking was an announcement from Rochelle Walensky, MD, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that her agency now recommends a third dose of some vaccines for certain patients—though that will likely expand in due time. The decision is in line with a unanimous vote by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and on the heels of the Food and Drug Administration updating its Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. At this time, the agencies recommend a third dose for people who received two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and who are immunocompromised. The FDA was very specific in noting that even such patients who have received a third dose should continue to wear a mask, socially distance, and avoid large crowds. The recommendation does not apply to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, though that is expected to come in time. In addition, the CDC is expected to weigh recommending boosters for people whose immunity might have waned since they received a full dose of COVID-19 vaccine.