Santa Clara County is now offering a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for those with compromised immune systems, health officials announced Saturday.
Availability of the "supplemental shot" comes following its approval by the FDA on Thursday.
Eligible individuals may book an appointment through the county’s website, which also has information on drop-in sites, including local pharmacies.
According to the CDC, an estimated 2.7% of the U.S. population is considered immunocompromised, a group which includes “organ transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment, and those with other immunodeficiencies.”
People were encouraged to speak with their primary health care provider to see if they’re eligible to receive the additional dose.
"We have vulnerable immunocompromised populations who are again at risk because of the rapid spread and high transmissibility of the delta variant," Dr. Jennifer Tong, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, said in a statement. “For those, a third dose of vaccine offers a substantial additional layer of protection from infection and serious illness.”
The extra shot is only available for those who received the Pfizer or Morderna vaccines.
All county mass vaccination sites are now able to accommodate administering the third dose, and health officials noted that community-based mobile sites will be available by the middle of the next week.
Related
