The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised on Friday, Aug. 13.

Patients who are eligible have completed a two-dose series of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine 28 days or more prior to the additional dose AND are considered 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

For people who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine series, a third dose of the same mRNA vaccine should be used. If the mRNA vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or is unknown, either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered. You do not need to look up the vaccine to confirm.

  • A person should NOT receive more than three total mRNA vaccine doses.
  • Johnson & Johnson vaccines should not be used as the additional dose. ONLY mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) can be used for a third additional dose.

Emerging data have demonstrated that immunocompromised people who have low or no protection following two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may have an improved response after an additional dose of the same vaccine.

Currently a Physicians Order is not required to receive a third dose of MRNA vaccine.  If you qualify, based on the criteria listed, you can make an appointment at www.ourshot.in.gov. 

Marshall County Health Department offers COVID 19 vaccine clinic on Mondays from 9a-12 noon and 1:30p-3p.  You can also find other locations near you but visiting www.ourshot.in.gov and putting in your zip code.  Locations will appear near you.  Local Pharmacies may also offer vaccine.  Call for availability.