MOHAVE COUNTY – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended an additional dose of COVID-19 (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine at least four weeks (28 days) after a second dose for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. 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 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.
Individuals who believe they may be eligible for the additional dose should speak with their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. At this time, an additional dose is not recommended for immunocompromised patients who received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.
Persons for whom an additional dose is recommended and received either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series should receive a third dose of the same vaccine. If the vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or unknown, either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be administered.
The FDA is reviewing and evaluating data related to booster shots for other fully vaccinated individuals to determine the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. A decision is forthcoming.
Getting vaccinated is a major way to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. Vaccine providers can be found on the county and ADHS web page at the links below. Please contact a vaccine provider for more information about the availability of the additional dose and the scheduling process. https://www.mohavecounty.us/ContentPage.aspx?id=127&cid=1444&page=2&rid=2230 https://www.azdhs.gov/covid19/vaccines/index.php#find-vaccines