New Hanover County issued the following announcement on Aug. 19.
Beginning Thursday, August 19, New Hanover County Public Health vaccine clinics will offer third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised individuals, following recent CDC guidance and data showing decreased immune response among those with moderately to severely compromised immune systems.
While plans have been announced by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall, these doses are not currently available to the general public. The CDC advises that the third dose should only be administered to those 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 two 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.
Third doses are available to self-attested immunocompromised individuals that received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and are at least 28 days past the date of their second dose. Public Health does not have the Moderna vaccine on hand, but will be able to offer the Pfizer vaccine to those eligible. View dates and locations for Public Health’s vaccine clinics.
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
Original source can be found here.
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