• COVID-19 vaccine boosters will become available in the U.S. this fall to people who have already received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
• People who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will likely need a booster as well, and more data is expected on that in the coming weeks.
• People who are immunocompromised — including some individuals living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — may be eligible to receive a third dose of the vaccines now.
• Your doctor can advise you on whether a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is an option for you.

On Aug. 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a plan for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine boosters will become available in the U.S. this fall. Details about vaccine boosters are yet to come, and they will be subject to review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommendations by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These organizations are currently examining data on vaccine effectiveness against new virus variants.

Who Will Be Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters?

Thus far, vaccine boosters are only recommended for those who received either messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, whether from Pfizer or Moderna. (The Johnson & Johnson vaccine works differently, and the need for a booster is being evaluated separately.) The CDC stated that people will become eligible for a vaccine booster eight months after they received their second dose. Those who received the vaccine earliest will be the first to be offered vaccine boosters. In most cases, those with earliest access to the vaccine were older adults, health care providers, and residents of long-term care facilities.

Boosters vs. Additional Doses for Immunocompromised People

A COVID-19 vaccine booster is administered when someone has developed adequate immunity after a second dose, but that immunity has decreased over time.

However, an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may be recommended for those who did not develop an adequate immune response after the two-dose vaccination series. The CDC recommends a third dose of the vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people at least 28 days after the second vaccination with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Should People With SMA Receive COVID-19 Boosters?

Not everyone living with SMA is necessarily moderately to severely immunocompromised. However, early research on mouse models suggests that some people with SMA may have weakened immune responses in general.

Dr. Jonathan Strober, a specialist in childhood disorders of the nerves and muscles and the director of the Neuromuscular Clinic at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, spoke with mySMAteam about boosters for people with SMA.

“As for boosters, right now they are just for those with immunodeficiencies. It is unclear if a third shot will be necessary for anyone else, given recent data I've seen,” said Dr. Strober. “Fortunately, most people with SMA have normal immune function. So, at this time, there’s no indication for a booster. If, however, the data is reevaluated and a third dose is recommended, I would certainly advise all to get one.”

Your primary medical provider, who is familiar with your unique family and medical history, will be able to guide you to the choice that is right for you.

Continued Precautions for Vaccinated People

Even if you are vaccinated, you can still contract a COVID-19 infection. This is called a “breakthrough infection.” Although COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be highly effective, no medical intervention is 100 percent effective. Additionally, immunocompromised people are at increased risk for breakthrough infections, possibly due to a weakened immune response to the initial COVID-19 vaccines.

For these reasons, the CDC recommends continuing to take the following general precautions during this pandemic:

• Wear masks while interacting with people outside of your household.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others.
• Avoid those who are ill.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.