State health leaders in Virginia said third shots of two coronavirus vaccines will become available soon for immunocompromised residents, in an aim to better protect amid a surge of cases tied to the delta variant.
The Virginia Department of Health’s announcement comes following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that people with significantly compromised immune systems get a third dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
Vaccine providers are expected to make third doses available over the next several days, according to Virginia’s health department.
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State health leaders in Maryland said they fully supported the CDC’s decision, with Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader describing third doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines as “another important tool” to protect vulnerable residents with severely weakened immune systems.
WTOP has reached out to D.C. regarding the District’s position on the CDC approval and whether the city will make third doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines available for the immunocompromised.
WTOP’s Luke Garrett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
