Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital issued the following announcement on Aug. 20
Do you need a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine? A booster shot refers to a third dose of an mRNA vaccine that you get at least 28 days after your second dose. This applies to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends booster shots for people who have moderately or severely weakened immune systems. The CDC doesn’t currently recommend booster shots for any other groups of people. However, we expect the FDA and CDC to provide additional guidance regarding booster shots in other populations soon.
What it means to have a weakened immune system?
Certain medical conditions or taking medications to suppress the immune system can result in having a weakened immune system, also known as being immunocompromised.
If you have a weakened immune system, you’re especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and its risks. For example, this group of people is more likely to have a serious illness that lasts a long time.
Who does this group include?
Right now, people who are eligible to receive booster shots include:
- People taking drugs that may suppress the immune system
- People with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
- People in active cancer treatment for tumors or blood cancers
- People who have an advanced or untreated HIV infection
- People who have received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- People who have received CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- People in active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids
Also, remember that getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is the best way you can avoid severe illness and protect those around you. Learn more about our ministry’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts.
Original source can be found here.
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