Following recent announcements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain immunocompromised individuals can begin receiving third doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Missouri. These are also referred to as “booster” shots because they boost the individual’s protection from COVID-19.
A third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines may be administered to individuals considered “moderately to severely immunocompromised” due to a medical condition or combination of immunosuppressive medication or treatments, including:
Individuals who do not meet the criteria for “moderately to severely immunocompromised” do not need a third dose at this time.
In line with federal guidelines, individuals will not be required to provide documentation of their health status, and they can get third doses at all venues where first and second doses are available.
This guidance does not apply to those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For people who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine series, a third dose of the same vaccine should be used. A person should not receive more than three vaccine doses at this time. Individuals should wait at least 28 days between their second and third doses.
For details on upcoming clinics and vaccine sites in the Rolla area, visit coronavirus.mst.edu/vaccinations.