3rd COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Available For Some In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington residents with certain immunocompromised conditions can receive a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) from Arlington County Public Health, according to a release.

ACPH began offering the third dose on Tuesday in accordance with FDA’s amended Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and the CDC’s adoption of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation.

The additional dose will only be available to individuals with moderately or severely weakened immune systems who have already received the first two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. People can be given a third dose of the same vaccine if it's been at least 28 days since they received the second dose.

While the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for individuals 12 and older, the Moderna vaccine is only authorized for those who are 18 and older. Patients should contact their health care provider to determine if a third dose would be beneficial.

According to ACPH, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised include individuals 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 your immune response

Those with a qualifying condition will be asked to self-test before a third dose is administered. They should also bring their COVID-19 vaccination record with them.

ACPH operates a number of walk-in clinics where people can receive a free COVID-19 vaccination. More information about the walk-in clinics and how to schedule an appointment is available online. More vaccine resources can also be found at vaccines.gov.