3rd COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Immunocompromised Individuals
If you meet the following guidelines and would like to be vaccinated, please call 937-484-1671.
Amended CDC guidance recommends the additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine to a small group of immunocompromised individuals. FDA has updated emergency use authorizations only for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to recommend a third dose for people with moderate-to-severe immunosuppression at heightened risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19.
It is estimated that less than 3 percent of Ohioans qualify for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine under the updated CDC guidance.
Those who qualify for an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose include:
Individuals undergoing active cancer treatment (solid tumor and hematologic malignancies).
Individuals who have received a solid-organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy.
Individuals who have received a CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplant or taking immunosuppression therapy).
Individuals with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
Individuals with advanced or untreated HIV infection.
Individuals undergoing active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
Individuals that have previously received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are not eligible to receive the additional dose of mRNA vaccine at this time.
Anyone requesting an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be advised of all the qualifying conditions and will self-attest to their own eligibility. Those requesting a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine must also have already completed a two-shot Pfizer or Moderna vaccination series. Additional doses of vaccine are to be given at least 28 days following the completion of a primary vaccination series.
The purpose of this additional dose is to strengthen the immune response when the initial immune response to the primary two-dose vaccine series is likely to be insufficient, according to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
These additional doses for immunocompromised persons should not be confused with booster doses. At this time, booster doses are not authorized or recommended for any individuals based upon concerns of waning immunity over time.
Immunocompromised patients are urged to consult with their healthcare providers to receive recommendations for timing of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to factor in their other treatments.
The CDC continues to recommend extra precautions for immunocompromised individuals along with an additional dose of vaccine.
Immunocompromised people (including those who receive an additional mRNA dose) should be aware of the potential for reduced immune response to COVID-19 vaccination and should follow ongoing prevention measures including wearing a mask; maintaining six-feet of distance from others outside their household; and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Close contacts of immunocompromised people are strongly encouraged to become vaccinated against COVID-19.