COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Update – Immunocompromised People to Receive Additional Shot

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This includes people who have:

–         Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

–          Received an organ transplant and is currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system

–          Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or is currently 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

Individuals who believe they qualify for the COVID-19 booster vaccine, should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

Other important info to know before scheduling:

–          It must be at least 4 weeks past your last COVID vaccine

–          Those that received Moderna or Pfizer are eligible for a booster

–          Coryell Health only has Pfizer at the time, but this can be given to those that received Moderna for their first two doses

–          Patients that received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not eligible to receive a booster dose.

–          Please bring your vaccination card with you when coming for your booster vaccine

Patients that are qualified to receive the COVID-19 booster vaccine, according to CDC guidelines, may schedule an appointment online or by calling 254-865-2166 and selecting option 1. We ask that only those that have one of the following diagnoses documented in their medical history schedule a booster dose.

On Wednesday, August 18, the US Department of Health and Human Services released a statement regarding plans for authorization of a COVID-19 booster shot for all Americans in late September. Coryell Health is currently preparing to provide a booster vaccine to our communities when guidance is released from the CDC and FDA. We expect to receive guidance in September of 2021, but until then, we will only be providing the booster shot to immunocompromised individuals.