PAHO: Third Vax Dose Recommended For Some

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The World Health Organization has recommended a third COVID-19 shot, or booster shot, for people with suppressed immune systems.

Officials say they support the recommendations for people who may be battling active cancer, who have HIV/AIDS, organ transplants or immunodeficiencies.

PAHO Assistant Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa says that third dose should preferably be the vaccine used for the first and second doses, but any vaccine approved for emergency use by the WHO can also be used, based on access.

This as PAHP Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne says the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas remains highly uncertain, and dependent on the balance of vaccination coverage with public health and social safety measures.

That report will be presented in Washington, DC on Thursday.

But Dr. Etienne revealed that of the three scenarios, there is one that is ideal.

Without timely, concerted action, Dr. Etienne says there remains the possibility that COVID-19 may become endemic, or restricted to a particular country or region.