Dear Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Children’s Hospital
Community:
On August 13, 2021 the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) provided new recommendations for the Pfizer and Moderna
COVID-19 vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people.
The CDC now recommends a third dose of
the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for these individuals.
Tufts MC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at 276 Tremont Street is now administering third doses
of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to moderately to severely
immunocompromised individuals. If you meet the following
criteria, you are eligible for a third dose:
- Are actively
being treated for cancer
- Have
received a solid organ transplant and are taking medicine to
suppress the immune system
- Have
received CAR-T cell therapy
- Have
received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are
taking medicine to suppress the immune system after a stem cell
transplant
- Have
moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge
syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Have advanced
or untreated HIV infection
- Are taking
high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., the equivalent of 20 or more
milligrams of Prednisone a day) or are taking other drugs that may
suppress the immune response.
Why was an additional third dose recommended?
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
are more likely to become very sick if they get COVID-19. They may also
have a longer illness and may not get the same protection from two doses
of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines as other people do. The
available data suggests that they may receive more protection from a
third dose of vaccine.
If you are immunocompromised:
Do I need to get the same vaccine I got for the first two
doses?
Yes, the third dose should be the same vaccine as the first
two. Those who got Pfizer for their first two doses, should get Pfizer
for their third and the same with Moderna.
What if I got the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine?
At present, there are no recommendations for an additional
dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.
When should I get a third dose of vaccine?
The CDC recommends that the third dose be administered at
least 28 days after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer or
Moderna vaccine. Please consult with the physician who prescribes your
immunocompromising medication to best assess the timing for your third
dose.
Are there side effects to the third dose?
To date, the side effects reported after the third dose of
the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine were similar to what people experienced
after receiving doses 1 and 2. Pain at injection site was the most
commonly reported side effect. Most symptoms were mild to moderate and
resolved within 3 days.
Can I stop wearing masks and social distancing if I get
the third dose?
While the third dose of the vaccine may provide added
protection, it is still recommended that you continue to wear a mask
indoors in public spaces, anywhere that physical distancing by 6 feet is
not possible, and continue to avoid crowds.
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Tufts Medical Center’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
276 Tremont Street
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am – 5 pm.
Appointments are encouraged and can be booked
electronically at tuftsmcvaccine.org.
For additional locations, please visit
Mass.gov.
Do I need to bring a note from my doctor to get my third
dose?
You do not need a doctor’s note to receive a third dose,
but you will need to attest to being immunocompromised. You should also
bring your CDC COVID-19 vaccine documentation.
Do I need a third dose or a booster if I am not
immunocompromised?
The CDC does not recommend an additional third dose for
any other population at this time. If you are fully vaccinated, there is
nothing else for you to do at the moment. We will continue to keep you
informed of any changes should there be further recommendations for
booster shots or additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for people who
are not immunocompromised. While booster doses are not recommended at
this time; you may have seen in the news that guidance regarding booster
doses is expected to be released soon. We will continue to
keep you informed as more information becomes available.
What is the difference between an additional dose and a
booster dose?
- An
additional “third dose” of vaccine is administered when the immune
response following a primary vaccine series is considered to be
insufficient. For example, in immunocompromised patients.
- A booster
dose is recommended after a primary vaccine series when the initial
immune response is likely to have waned over time.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.
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