Recently, the CDC recommended those who are moderate to severly immunocomprimised receive a 3rd dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccines. CUPHD, along with OSF Healthcare, Carle, Christie Clinic, and Promise Healthcare, now have guidelines for how people in Champaign County that meet the criteria should go about obtaining their third dose. It should be at least 28 from the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, and the same type of vaccine should be given. Recipients should contact their healthcare provider, and must self-attest to one of these conditions:
- 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 medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, WiskottAldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
From Awais Vaid, Deputy Administrator and Epidemiologist at CUPHD:
Eligible individuals should receive their third dose at their provider’s office. In addition, the third dose of Pfizer or Moderna is not a booster shot and not intended for the general community member. What is available now is a third dose of the original shot, specifically recommended for people with compromised immune systems.
Top photo from CUPHD Facebook page.