Additional Vaccine Dose Available for Certain Immunocompromised People
Published on August 17, 2021
UPDATE: Effective Sept. 24, 2021, Arlington County Public Health clinics at Arlington Mill Community Center and Walter Reed Community Center will require appointments for an additional, or third, dose of vaccine.
On Tuesday, August 17, Arlington County Public Health will begin offering an additional, or third, dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) to certain immunocompromised people. This follows
FDA's amended Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and the
CDC's adoption of the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' recommendation.
This recommended additional dose is only for individuals with
moderately or severely weakened immune systems (immunocompromised) who received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. A third dose of the same vaccine can be given after at least 28 days have passed since the second dose. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals 12 years and older; the Moderna vaccine is authorized for people 18 and older.
People who are immunocompromised should speak to their healthcare provider to help decide if they would benefit from an additional dose. Moderately to severely immunocompromised people include those 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
Individuals will be asked to self-attest (confirm) as having a qualifying condition at the time of vaccination.
Bring your vaccination card with you so your provider can fill in the information about your additional dose. Keep your vaccination card in case you need it for future use and consider taking a picture of your vaccination card as a backup copy.
At this time, an additional dose of vaccine is not approved for people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or people who are fully vaccinated and not immunocompromised. The FDA and CDC continue to review evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of an additional dose for these individuals.
Arlington County encourages everyone 12 and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine, especially those who are immunocompromised or have close contact with immunocompromised persons. Arlington County Public Health Division (ACPHD) will only be offering additional doses for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals at the Arlington Mill Community Center and Walter Reed Community Center clinics; they will not be available at field missions or "pop-up" events at this time.
Free walk-in and scheduled appointments are available at ACPHD's clinics. Additional opportunities can be found at
vaccines.gov; confirm with individual providers the availability of additional, or third, doses.