The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee is meeting today to better define which additional populations will be eligible. Qualified patients should seek a third dose of their original vaccine, to be administered at least 28 days following their second dose.
BJC HealthCare and WashU Med will be providing Pfizer vaccine booster doses to qualified patients at the Clayton Avenue Building and Christian Hospital public clinics starting Saturday. Only patients who originally received the Pfizer vaccine will be eligible. Patients will be able to self-attest to their qualifying medical conditions (no doctor’s note required) and it must be at least 28 days since receiving a second Pfizer vaccine dose. Patients who prefer to schedule their doses will be able to schedule vaccine appointments next week.