Third dose of mRNA vaccine dose recommended for people with compromised immune systems

The CDC and the Indiana Department of Health now recommend that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional, third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial two doses. Beacon Medical Group patients who meet the criteria should contact their primary care physicians’ office.

The third dose should be given at least 28 days after the second dose and be the same type of vaccine — Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine — that was previously given. People should talk to their doctor if they have questions or go to OurShot.IN.gov to make a vaccine appointment. No doctor’s order is necessary. Get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Who qualifies for a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine?

People who have a weakened immune system are eligible for a third dose of the same vaccine. This includes individuals who:

• Are in active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
• Have received a solid-organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Have received a CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or who are taking immunosuppression therapy)
• Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge, Wiskott-Aldrich syndromes)
• Have advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Are in active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ?20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, TNF blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory

Where are the third dose vaccines available?

Individuals can go to OurShot.IN.gov to make a vaccine appointment. No doctor’s order is necessary.

Also, Beacon Medical Group primary care locations offer COVID-19 vaccinations to patients by appointment.

Community members and patients may schedule a Pfizer vaccine at Beacon Medical Group Main Street , 6913 N. Main St., Entrance A, Granger, by scheduling through ourshot.in.gov and selecting St. Joseph County, then “Beacon Medical Group PVAX” from the location listing. Vaccines at BMG Main Street can only be scheduled throughourshot.in.gov or by calling 2-1-1.

Walk-ins are welcome during these Beacon Medical Group Main Street clinic hours:

• Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.