The San Francisco Department of Public Health on Wednesday began offering third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for residents with compromised immune systems, following recent federal and state guidance.
The department announced individuals undergoing active cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, those with advanced HIV infections and other approved health conditions are eligible for the additional shot.
Immunocompromised people are less able to fight off infections and are more vulnerable to COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week to provide third doses for
"Our strategy has always been to protect the most vulnerable in our community based on the latest available research and guidance from federal and state partners," said Dr. Grant Colfax, the city's health director, said in a statement. "With a third dose of an mRNA vaccine our intent is to prevent severe illness among people who may not have had a complete immune response to the initial (two-dose) series."
Eligible residents can make an appointment for their third dose here. The city is still allowing Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients to specially request a supplemental dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines after consulting with a healthcare provider.
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