3rd COVID-19 Vaccine Available To Immunocompromised HoCo People

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine designated for immunocompromised individuals now are available in Howard County. People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are currently eligible for a third shot at this time and can find a clinic at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov. For the general population, booster shots have not yet been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration but will be recommended months after residents received their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

“We know that for many of our older adults and seniors, who were some of the first to receive their vaccines, are feeling anxious,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “We anticipate that booster shots will begin to be available by the end of September or early October, but we are waiting for the final approval from the FDA. Howard County has led the state on our vaccination efforts throughout this year and we have the infrastructure in place to handle third doses for immunocompromised residents and booster shots for the general population throughout this fall and winter.”

Howard County happens to be the first Maryland jurisdiction to reach 70 percent of all residents fully vaccinated. Additionally, 83 percent of eligible residents age 12 years and older are fully vaccinated, and 88 percent of eligible residents have received at least one dose.

"Third dose vaccine for immunocompromised individuals is now widely available through the county health department and other vaccination sites across the county," Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said. "Anyone with questions about eligibility should speak with their healthcare provider to determine if an additional vaccine dose would be appropriate for their specific condition. While preparations are underway to provide booster shots to additional populations when authorized, FDA guidance is needed before plans can be finalized."

The Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services, Office on Aging and Independence will work with the Howard County Health Department and the department of fire and rescue services mobile integrated community health team to provide booster clinics at senior apartment buildings, small assisted living homes and 50+ centers, said OAI Administrator Jenna Crawley.

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people 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