Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?

Tuesday Sep 14th, 2021

Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?

People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised. CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This additional dose intended to improve immunocompromised people's response to their initial vaccine series.

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 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

Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for you.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine

If you are 12 and older, you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 Vaccine. We strongly believe in vaccination and FHMS encourages everyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine. Family Health Medical Services does not offer the COVID-19 vaccine at any of our locations. You can find a vaccine by:

- Visiting: https://chqgov.com/public-health/covid-19-vaccination-clinics
- Check your local pharmacy's website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available.

*Although CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time, HHS has announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall.

Vaccine booster crop