3rd Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available In Gloucester County

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — Third doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine are now available at the Gloucester County COVID-19 vaccination site for those who are immunocompromised, officials announced on Monday.

Residents with moderate to severely compromised immune systems can begin receiving the vaccine at the site - located at the Gloucester County Public Work Complex, 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton - beginning on Tuesday, officials said.

On Aug. 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations for both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

The Gloucester County vaccination site only offers third doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as it is all that is available on-site, officials said. A request has been made to receive Moderna, and officials said they will update the public when we receive additional vaccine.

The third dose is recommended at least 28 days after a resident has received a second dose. Those who are not immunocompromised are not yet eligible for the third dose, officials said.

Specifically, the FDA named solid organ transplant recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise as being eligible for a third dose.

People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness and may benefit from an additional COVID-19 dose to make sure they have enough protection against the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes patients and doctors should decide who needs an extra dose and what the timing of that dose should be. No prescription or doctor's note will be needed. Individuals must attest their need for the third dose.

Anyone who has any questions about the vaccine can contact their healthcare provider.

As of Monday, Gloucester County has conducted 207,345 total tests. Of these cases, 178,749 have come back negative. There have been 28,596 cases of the coronavirus and 625 coronavirus-related deaths in Gloucester County since the pandemic began in March 2020.

“Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic must be a group effort and a big help is receiving your vaccination,” Gloucester County Commissioner Director Robert M. Damminger said. “Vaccines are easily available Tuesday through Friday at the Gloucester County Public Works Complex. No appointments are necessary, and we are able to vaccinate all individuals 12 years old and older. Rapid testing is available by appointment at the Gloucester County Health Department. Please call 856-218-4142 to schedule Monday through Friday.”

No appointments are necessary to receive a vaccination at the Gloucester County center. To view the August schedule, visit:https://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=177.

The Gloucester County Department of Health also remains available to answer any questions or concerns. Gloucester County’s COVID-19 hotline can be reached at 856-218 – 4142 or visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov.