Nurses’ Note:
How Soon Should Immunocompromised People Get the COVID Booster Shot? While the news is promising, check with your healthcare provider first.
Q: With the FDA authorizing third doses of the COVID vaccines for the most vulnerable, how soon can someone who is immunocompromised schedule an appointment?
A: On August 12, 2021, the FDA updated its emergency use authorization for both Pfizer-BioNTech’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals, specifically, solid organ transplant recipients (kidney, liver, intestines, heart, lung and pancreas) or those who are diagnosed with conditions considered to be at the same level of immunocompromise. Transplant recipients have to be very careful because their immune systems are suppressed to reduce the chances of their bodies rejecting the new organs they receive.
Overall, immunocompromised people are at increased risk for poor outcomes from COVID-19, and studies have shown a reduced antibody response for this patient population after vaccination. In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) presented “Data and Clinical Considerations For Additional Doses In Immunocompromised
People” during a meeting. One finding in this presentation was that recent studies have indicated that additional COVID-19 vaccine doses in immunocompromised people enhanced antibody responses and increased the proportion that responded. In smaller studies, the immunological responses of the third dose were about the same as prior doses. Currently, the CDC recommends that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have. 1)Received active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.6Received an organ transplant and take medicine to suppress their immune system.D6Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or take medicine to suppress their immune system./6Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).16 Advanced or untreated HIV infection.=6Active treatment with highdose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.
If you qualify, you can get the third dose of a COVID vaccine as soon as possible; however, talk to your healthcare provider first to determine if you should.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/
Flu Vaccines will be available for all parishioners 30 minutes before and after Masses on
Saturday October 16 - Speigletown - 4:00 Mass
Sunday October 17 - Schaghticoke - 8:30 Mass
Sunday October 17 -Speigletown- 10:15 Mass
Most health insurances cover the full cost of the flu vaccines. Have your health insurance card available.
Contact Pat Hebert (518) 235-0337 or
P.Hebert@transfigurationparish.net
with any questions