WellSpan Health announced today it will offer third-dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine appointments to patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised at all of its current COVID-19 vaccine locations that offer that particular vaccine beginning Thursday, August 19, in accordance with guidance released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“Providing these additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those patients who may benefit from a third dose is an extremely important next step in getting this pandemic under control,” said Dr. Eugene Curley, infectious disease physician, WellSpan Health. “Studies have shown that some patients with moderately to severely compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity as others do after receiving two doses of the vaccine. With cases of COVID-19 on the rise across the country, including here in South Central Pennsylvania, it is important to make sure this population has adequate protection against the virus.”
Patients, ages 12 and older for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and 18 and older for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, who are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised, and have had their second of the vaccine administered at least 28 days ago, are eligible for the third dose, per Pa. DOH guidelines, and can schedule an appointment beginning on Thursday, August 19, by calling WellSpan’s dedicated COVID hotline at (855) 851-3641. Walk-in appointments will also be honored for eligible patients at some locations.
At this point, third-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments are not able to be scheduled through a patient’s MyWellSpan account.
Eligible patients include those with moderate to severe immune compromise due to a medical condition, or those who have received immunosuppressive medications or treatment. Eligible people 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 the immune response.
To date, WellSpan has administered more than 375,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which continues to be effective against all strains of the virus at preventing serious illness and hospitalization.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, go here.
