Additional Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available To Residents with Compromised Immune Systems

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 20, 2021

Residents with compromised immune systems are now able to receive a third additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at locations throughout Montgomery County, including local pharmacies, doctors’ offices and County-operated clinics.  Guidance shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week recommends that people with a range of conditions, such as organ transplant or stem cell recipients, people with untreated or advance HIV infection, people currently receiving cancer treatment, people who are taking medications that weaken the immune system, and others.  Visit the CDC’s website for a complete list of conditions. People should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.  The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not currently authorized for third doses.  

On Aug. 18, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlined its plan for COVID-19 booster shots, pending FDA approval and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.  According to the plan, booster shots for those who are not immunocompromised would be given eight months after an individual is fully vaccinated (after the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine)  This means that frontline health care workers and first responders would be among the first to receive a booster dose.  The booster will provide longer-lasting protection against COVID-19.  For most of the public, the eight-month period will occur later in the fall.           

Visit the County’s COVID-19 vaccine page for more information on locations offering the third dose.  For those who are not immunocompromised, refer to your immunization card to determine when you will be eligible.

If you are not yet vaccinated, find free vaccination clinics at www.GoVAXMoCo.com.  If you feel sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, get tested.  Find free testing clinics at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org. 

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD

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Release ID: 21-664
Media Contact: Mary Anderson
Categories: COVID-19