NORRISTOWN, PA – The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) today announced that it will accept appointments for a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals starting Monday, August 23, 2021. Online registration is now available at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19Vaccine.
CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Studies indicate some immunocompromised people don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do.
Anyone with the following conditions is eligible for a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna:
- Active treatment for any cancer (not history) including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery within two years.
- Receipt of solid-organ transplant and currently taking immunosuppressive therapy
- Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
- Steroids – daily or regular doses of prednisone, prednisolone, decadron. (Not single injection)
- Alkylating agents and antimetabolites used for chemotherapy medications
- TNF blockers – most common are Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, Simponi – the generic names end with either -ercept or – iximab. Used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis.
Those who fit the above criteria can make an appointment for any of the following County-run COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics to receive a third dose. Individuals should bring their existing vaccination card and are required to sign a self-attestation form to confirm their eligibility for a third dose. Third doses must match the vaccine individuals received for their first and second dose. (i.e. if your first two doses were Moderna vaccine, your third dose must be Moderna vaccine as well).
Montgomery County COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
- Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 North Keim Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
- Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 – 6:30 p.m.
- Human Services Center, (First Floor, Innovation Room), 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401
- Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 – 6:30 p.m.
- Willow Grove Parkside Shopping Center, (former Petco), 2522 West Moreland Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090
- Open Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 – 6:30 p.m.
For a full list of hours of operation, clinic schedules, directions, and parking information please visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19Vaccine or call (833) 875-3967. The third dose is available at no cost.
Montgomery County’s Department of Public Safety is offering a third dose to homebound individuals who are eligible through its Mobile Integrated Health Unit. Anyone who wants to setup a vaccination appointment for a homebound person should call (610) 631-3079 and leave a voicemail for a call back.
CDC recommends a third dose for those who have received the primary dose series of Moderna or Pfizer only. As of yet, no additional shots or boosters are recommended for the Janssen (J&J) vaccine.
Lost your vaccine card? If you were vaccinated in PA and have an immunization record in PA SIIS (Pennsylvania’s Immunization Registry) you must call an Office of Public Health Public Health Center or email covid19@montcopa.org and include full name, date of birth, contact number, and email address. We will not accept walk-ins to county-run clinics or health centers. If your request can be processed, you will informed when and where you can pick up your vaccination record or card. No COVID-19 vaccination cards will be mailed.
Media Contact: Kelly Cofrancisco, kcofrancisco@montcopa.org.