Third COVID Dose Guidelines Outlined In Prince William County

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — The Prince William Health District is now offering third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines. Currently, the health district is prioritizing providing third doses to people who are immunocompromised.

The announcement of third doses in Prince William County follows guidance issued by the CDC last week.

"People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial two doses," the CDC wrote last week. "People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised."

For now, the third doses are limited to people who are immunocompromised. The Prince William Health District noted that eligible people may include people undergoing cancer treatment, people who have received an organ transplant, those undergoing stem cell treatment, and certain people with HIV.

Immunocompromised people in Prince William County can receive a third shot at the Manassas and Woodbridge health district clinics. To get an appointment in Manassas, residents can call 703-792-6300. For the Woodbridge clinic, the number is 703-792-7300. The health district's mobile clinic will also administer third shots to those who meet the criteria.

In a statement, public health officials from the CDC said they plan to offer third doses of the vaccine to the rest of the population this fall. "We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose," officials said. "At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster."

In Prince William County, the health district has scheduled several vaccine clinics to help residents get their shots.

On Saturday, Aug. 21, the health district will be at Prince William County Community Foundation's back to school event at the Neabsco Boardwalk from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. At the event, which will be held at 15125 Blackburn Rd. in Woodbridge, residents can receive either the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

More information about where to find a vaccine is available online, or by texting your zip code to 438829.