COVID-19 Third Dose Recommendations for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised Individuals

Posted on: August 23, 2021 - 2:02pm
third dose

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) for moderately to severely immunocompromised people. People with immunocompromising conditions or who take immunosuppressive medications or therapies are at increased risk for severe COVID-19. Studies indicate that some immunocompromised people have a reduced immune response following a primary COVID-19 vaccine series compared to vaccine recipients who are not immunocompromised. Studies have also demonstrated that an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in some immunocompromised populations may enhance immune response.

The third dose recommendation does not apply to persons who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine.  There is not enough data at this time to determine whether immunocompromised people who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine have an improved antibody response following an additional dose of the same vaccine.

Third Dose mRNA Vaccine Eligibility Criteria

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended 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; or
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

AND

  • People who have received an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech) more than 28 days after your second shot

The Town of East Hartford Health Department advises you to consult with your doctor, or healthcare practitioner (collectively, “healthcare team”) to see if you qualify and if they recommend that you get a third dose of an mRNA vaccine. This decision should be made with guidance from your healthcare team. According to the federal guidelines, prescriptions or provider referral is not required for immunocompromised individuals to receive a third dose of a COVID vaccine, although the recommended time between the second and third dose is at least four weeks.

Individuals who meet the criteria for additional doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can make an appointment with the East Hartford Health Department by calling 860-291-7324 or attend a walk-in clinic at any COVID vaccine provider location, including pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, or doctor’s offices.