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Covid-19 Vaccine:

Third Dose FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED

Covid-19 Vaccine:

PFIZER Booster

COVID-19 VACCINE:

THIRD DOSE

FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED

Third COVID-19 Vaccine Doses for People who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised 

On Thursday, Aug. 12th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow a third dose to be administered to people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised following a primary mRNA vaccine series. See the FDA’s Press Release here. 

Subsequently, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 weeks after their second dose, for a total of three doses. Third doses will be administered a minimum of 28 days after the 2nd shot. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed those recommendations. See the full CDC Media Statement here. 

Individuals can self-attest and receive the third dose wherever vaccines are offered. This will help ensure there are not additional barriers to access for this vulnerable population receiving a needed third dose.

Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:

  • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
  • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

While people who are immunocompromised make up about 3% of the U.S. adult population, they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Included in CDC’s recommendation are people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others. A full list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website.

The third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be the same vaccine as the initial series and administered at least four weeks after completing a primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.

While vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

At a time when the Delta variant is surging, an additional dose could help prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19 cases within moderately or severely immunocompromised populations.

It is important to note that CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.

Moderna Third Dose FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED

Joliet Location

Scheduling starting November 1st

Pfizer Third Dose FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED & PFIZER BOOSTERS FOR ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS

Joliet Location

Joliet Location – Scheduling starting November 1st

Bolingbrook Location

Bolingbrook Location – Scheduling starting November 3rd

Who Should get the booster

CDC recommends that the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine):

  • people aged 65 years and older
  • residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions

CDC also recommends that the following groups may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks:

  • people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions
  • people aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting

Occupations with
increased Risk

CDC defined the following occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission:

  • Frontline essential workers

  • Health care workers

  • First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)

  • Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)

  • Food and agriculture workers

  • Manufacturing workers

  • Corrections workers

  • U.S. Postal Service workers

  • Public transit workers

  • Grocery store workers

These recommendations only apply to people who previously received a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine).

People can talk to their healthcare provider about whether getting a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot is appropriate for them.

Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine can be administered 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary two-dose series was completed, no sooner.

At this time, Boosters have NOT been approved for Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines.  If you received the one-dose Johnson and Johnson or the two-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine you cannot receive a Pfizer booster.

COVID-19 VACCINE:

PFIZER BOOSTER

Pfizer Third Dose FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED & PFIZER BOOSTERS FOR ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS

Joliet Location

Joliet Location – Scheduling starting November 1st

Bolingbrook Location

Bolingbrook Location – Scheduling starting November 3rd

Moderna
Booster

On October 14, the FDA voted YES to approve Moderna Boosters

What’s Next?
Before the CDC Director can sign the recommendations, it must go to ACIP  (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) on October 20 – 21 for a vote.

Recommended Target Populations:
– Individuals 65 of age and older
– Individuals 18 – 64 years of age at high risk
– Individuals 18 – 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19

Eligible individuals may receive their booster 6 months after a completed two-dose series of Moderna

Johnson & Johnson Booster

On October 15, the FDA voted YES to approve Johnson & Johnson Boosters

What’s Next?
Before the CDC Director can sign the recommendations, it must go to ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) on October 20 – 21 for a vote.

Recommended Target Populations:
– Individuals 18 of age and older

Eligible individuals may receive their booster 2 months after a single dose primary vaccination.