The following statement is attributable to: Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., President, American Medical Association

"As transmission of the more contagious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant continues to cause a significant increase in cases of COVID-19 across the country, we welcome the actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to authorize and recommend an additional dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, for those age 12 and older, or Moderna vaccine, for those 18 years and older, following an initial 2-dose series in immunocompromised people. This recommendation will allow physicians and other vaccine providers to offer an additional dose of mRNA vaccines for their most vulnerable patients, who are at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.

"Given that CDC data shows some immunocompromised patients lack the antibodies needed to fight COVID-19 infection, adding an additional dose to the primary series for this population can help protect these individuals from unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths. It is important to keep in mind that this recommendation is for a limited population and an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended for all fully vaccinated people at this time.

"The AMA strongly urges everyone who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, including pregnant women, to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones from severe COVID-19 complications, hospitalization, and death. We encourage anyone with questions about the vaccines to speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org. We also encourage the public to heed the CDC's updated recommendations calling for mask wearing in areas of high or substantial COVID-19 transmission and in K-12 schools, to help reduce transmission of the virus. Wearing a mask is a simple, but important protective measure that can help us all stay safer."