On August 13, 2021, the CDC endorsed an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for people with moderately to severely weakened immune systems. West Virginia sent the guidance to providers and partners as state Health Advisory #178.
The extra dose was for people who had finished a two-dose Pfizer or Moderna series. It was to be given at least four weeks after the second dose, and with the same vaccine when possible. Pfizer was for ages 12 and up, and Moderna for ages 18 and up. It did not apply to people who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Examples of people who qualified included organ and stem cell transplant recipients, people in active cancer treatment, people with advanced or untreated HIV, and people taking certain drugs that weaken the immune system.
The state said this was not a booster. It was an added dose to help people whose immune response to the first two doses was likely too weak. The CDC did not recommend extra doses for anyone else at that time. People were told to ask their health care provider or local health department if the dose was right for them.
This guidance is from August 2021. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.