CDC weighs increasing time between vaccine doses to lower risk of heart inflammation

U.S. health officials are considering new changes to vaccine guidance that would lengthen the amount of time between doses in order to lower the risk of heart inflammation for immunocompromised people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told a panel of outside advisers on Friday these proposed changes would apply to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Immunocompromised people, who generally don’t respond as well to vaccines, are the only population advised to get four vaccine jabs.

CDC guidance suggests this group should receive three vaccine doses within two months and a fourth dose around five months after the third. The CDC is now suggesting that immunocompromised people should get their fourth shot as soon as three months after the third.

This update would apply to people ages 18 and up who receive the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and people age 12 and up who received Pfizer. – READ MORE