CLEVELAND — Last week, the Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff announced that it is now recommended that immunocompromised patients who have received the first two doses of the mRNA coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine also receive a third shot.
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On Wednesday, the Cleveland Clinic announced that appointments to receive a third COVID-19 shot are now available for those eligible, with scheduling now open via the MyChart app or by calling 216-448-4117. More information on locations and scheduling can be found at clevelandclinic.org/covidvaccine.
While the Cleveland Clinic said that it is currently only scheduling third shots for immunocompromised patients, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Wednesday that it is now recommending a third COVID-19 shot for all who have received the first two doses of either Moderna or Pfizer's two-shot regimen COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, an additional booster shot for those who received Johnson & Johnson's one-shot regiment vaccine is not recommended, although that could change in the future.
Currently, the Cleveland Clinic possesses a supply of the Pfizer vaccine. According to CDC guidance, if the same COVID mRNA vaccine product as the first two doses is not available, a different mRNA vaccine may be given for the third dose, so long as the patient is age-eligible for that product. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for patients aged 12 and older, while the Moderna vaccine is approved for ages 18 and older.
Recommendations for a third COVID-19 vaccine shot come amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases associated with the Delta Variant.