The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for well over a year, and vaccines have been distributed to an abundance of Americans.

However, those who struggle with a weaker immune system are still at risk. The new plan announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to administer booster shots to those who are considered immunocompromised offers hope to these people.       

The first two doses of the vaccination have yet to become fully preventative against the virus, but the vaccine decreases the chances of catching the virus and makes the virus less critical if infected. Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations have high percentages of effectiveness, but the variants constantly alter these statistics.

The immunocompromised population can not develop as many antibodies as healthier people can. These antibodies are necessary for protection against COVID-19. The booster shot is meant to increase the number of antibodies, and thus protection, for those with poor immune systems.

The locations where immunocompromised people will be able to receive the booster shot are similar to the first set of vaccines. Pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens have already begun booster shot distribution. Walmart has also been identified as a vaccine distribution site. Health offices, pharmacies, and many other places across America are making announcements on their status as a distribution site as the booster shot becomes more accessible to the public.

The booster shot is a follow-up to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations, so those who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine are currently unable to receive it. 

 The CDC indicates that the Delta Variant has furthered the progress on the booster shot issuing to Americans. The Delta Variant is a new strand of the original COVID-19 that is more contagious and a worse sickness to bear through. The population of immunocompromised people that have gotten the booster shot is small, as the news just became known to the public. Fall 2021 has been mentioned as the time where the majority of booster shot distribution will take place.

Discussions surrounding the booster shot have been apparent for a while now, but it has only recently been made a reality. The main reason why the shot is just now being distributed is due to a lack of vaccine distribution in other countries.

Third-world countries have barely begun issuing the first one or two vaccine shots, with much fewer people receiving the booster shot. Agreements amongst nations to support those places with minimal vaccinations have prompted the wait for the administration of the booster shot. 

 The FDA had not fully signed off on the proposed plan when the distribution of the booster shot began. This lack of approval led to the resignation of two FDA officials, Dr. Marion Gruber and Dr. Phillip Krause. 

The booster shot is meant to be taken around eight months after the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The side effects of this stage of the vaccine are specific to each individual, though there are recurring symptoms throughout millions of people.

The most prominent side effects are discomfort where the vaccine was injected, fatigue, chills, dizziness, fever, and pain in other parts of the body. These symptoms are also common feelings after receiving the booster shot. 

The booster shot is a sign of hope for the pandemic. The ups and downs of the virus have been enormously disruptive for many, so any forward step offers a much-needed sigh of relief.  The immunocompromised people have something to look forward to that ensures their safety and health.  The booster shot is starting its distribution process to improve the well-being of people around the world.