The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently authorized third doses of both the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna coronavirus vaccines for certain immunocompromised people.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, emerging data suggest some immunocompromised people do not always build the same immunity level compared to those with a healthy immune system, leaving them more at risk of severe and prolonged illness.

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 medication 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

The third dose is recommended for people to receive it at least 28 days after a second dose. People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. At this time, the CDC does not recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for the general population.

Archbold will begin offering the third vaccine to eligible community members at its COVID-19 walk-in vaccine clinic on August 18. The vaccine clinic will be held in the Williams Auditorium at Archbold Memorial Hospital from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  No appointment is required.

If you are unable to make it to the walk-in vaccine clinic, please call 229-584.SHOT to schedule an appointment at Archbold’s Corporate Care Center.