Third COVID-19 Vaccination Shot Available to Those Most at Risk in NYC

One of latest text alerts sent by NYC’s Department of Health reads as so:

“Notify NYC: Moderately to severely immunocompromised people can get a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Check eligibility: nyc.gov/covidvaccine

On that page appears the following:

Third Dose for People Who Are Immunocompromised

People who who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) are now eligible for a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Third doses will be available at City-run sites starting on Monday, August 16.

Through yet another referenced page one learns more:

To summarize, those eligible for the third dose (which as some might reference as a booster shot) must be at least 12 years of age, have already gotten their Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in completion and must have a condition or be taking medications or treatments that moderately or severely weakens their immune system.

Conditions and treatments may include: • Active treatment for cancer • Received an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy • Received a stem cell transplant within the past two years • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency • Advanced or untreated HIV • Active treatment with a high dose of corticosteroids or other drugs that moderately or severely weaken your immune system

Just like the initial doses, thee third doses will be free for eligible individuals.

One can search for a vaccination site by visiting nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or calling 877-VAX-4-NYC (877-829-4692). It’s stated that you can also schedule a free in-home vaccination by visiting nyc.gov/homevaccine or calling the aforementioned number.

During yesterday’s Mayoral press briefing Commissioner Dave Chokshi, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had the following to say:

“Late last week, the FDA and CDC recommended that people with certain immunocompromising conditions get the third dose of COVID vaccine. This follows studies that showed a lower immune response after two doses of an mRNA vaccine, that’s Pfizer or Moderna, in some people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, such as someone who’s received a kidney transplant. The good news is that some of these individuals were shown to have a robust response to a third dose. The types of conditions covered in the update include active treatment for cancer, organ transplant recipients who are taking immunosuppressive therapy, people who’ve received a stem cell transplant in the past two years, or people with advanced or untreated HIV. For other health conditions like diabetes or heart disease we do not recommend a third dose at this time.”