Requested Actions
- Be aware of the confusion between the terminology and guidance for 3rd dose versus booster doses.
- Third dose: vaccine doses available now for people who are considered moderately or severely immunocompromised
- On August 12, the S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its emergency use authorizations(EUAs) for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow an additional (third) dose for certain immunocompromised people including 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 immune response
- Call and recall patients determined to be immunocompromised who received Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and offer an additional (third) dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Offer the same vaccine product (i.e., Pfizer or Moderna) the person originally received.
- Booster dose: an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time
- On Sept. 24 the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a single booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine to certain high-risk populations at least 6 months after their primary series under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) expanded emergency use authorization (EUA):
- All people 65 years or older or who live in long-term care facilities should receive a booster dose.
- People between 50 and 64 years old with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster dose.
- People between 18 and 49 years old with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster dose based on their individual risks and benefits.
- People between 18 and 64 years old in an occupational or institutional setting where the burden of disease and risk of infection are high may receive a booster dose based on their individual risks and benefits.
- On Sept. 24 the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a single booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine to certain high-risk populations at least 6 months after their primary series under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) expanded emergency use authorization (EUA):
- Be aware, all state employees and workers in healthcare and long-term care settings must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19by Oct. 18.
- The recent CDC and FDA decisions about booster doses do not change the definition of full vaccination. Booster doses are not required where vaccine mandates are in place.
- Help patients access their vaccine records and explain the different ways to show vaccination status. There are options for everyone, including those who need language assistance or don’t have access to a computer or smartphone
Background
A Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call on Sept. 28, 2021 covered what clinicians needs to know about administering booster doses.
Become a COVID-19 vaccine provider and vaccinate patients during their visit. Learn how to enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider.
COVID-19 vaccine resources
- Help patients access their vaccine records and explain the different ways to show vaccination status.
- EUA fact sheets for recipients and caregivers:
- COVID-19 vaccine locator, DOH.
- COVID-19 vaccine for providers
- COVID-19 vaccine provider toolkit and resources, DOH.
- COVID-19 vaccination for providers, CDC.
- Clinical considerations for COVID-19 vaccination and guidance for managing anaphylaxis, CDC.
- COVID-19 vaccine quick reference guide for healthcare professionals, CDC.
- COVID-19 vaccine training module on best practices for providers, CDC.
- Association of J&J with thrombotic thrombocytopenia after vaccination:
- J&J vaccine health alert, CDC.
- Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia frequently asked questions, American Society of Hematology (ASH).
- Diagnosis and management of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia webinar, ASH and CDC.
- April 15, 2021 Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call: J&J COVID-19 vaccine and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia update for clinicians on early detection and treatment, CDC.
- Association of mRNA vaccines with myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination:
- Information for healthcare providers: myocarditis and mRNA vaccines, DOH
- Follow-up of patients with myocarditis, consult recommendations, American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.
- Clinical considerations: Myocarditis and pericarditis after receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and young adults, CDC.
- Overview of myocarditis and pericarditis, ACIP COVID-19 Vaccines Work Group, June 23, 2021, CDC.
- COVID-19 subcommittee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) reviews cases of mild myocarditis reported with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, WHO news release, May 26, 2021.
- Myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, CDC.
- Selected adverse events reported after COVID-19 vaccination, CDC.
- Myocarditis and pericarditis resources for the public, CDC.
Contacting the Health Department
360-778-6100 Main Call Line – available M-F 8:30am to 4:30pm
360-715-2588 Afterhours Answering Service – available after 4:30pm and weekends
360-778-6150 Communicable Disease Report Line – 24 hours a day 7 days a week
360-778-6103 Confidential Communicable Disease Fax – 24 hours a day 7 days a week
1500 N State Street, Bellingham WA 98225