MANHASSET, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A new clinical trial is underway to see the effectiveness of a third Moderna COVID-19 vaccine dose in people living with an organ transplant.
Among those participating in the trial is Darla Smyth, a high school teacher in the Hewlett Woodmere School District on Long Island.
Smyth had a liver transplant nearly 30 years ago and became one of the first people to receive a third dose of the Moderna vaccine at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset.
“Scientifically, this appears as if it's going to be beneficial to me, and that's how I base my decision,” Smyth said of her decision to participate in the trial.
She told WCBS 880 that the option of getting a third dose of the vaccine was better than putting herself at risk for contracting COVID-19.
“What are the choices? Either I’m going to put myself at a higher risk to die, and that also would be a problem because I've been given a gift from someone else who donated their organ to me,” she said.
Smyth added that protecting herself is also beneficial to her neighbors and community.
She is hopeful that the third dose of the vaccine will allow her to return to her classroom soon, as she misses being with her students. Because she is considered high risk for contracting COVID-19, she has been teaching remotely since March 2020.
“I am considered high risk just because of the transplant and the medications that one takes afterwards. They do suppress your immune system,” she explained. “In addition to that I have a low platelet count. The vaccine shot gave me immunity but, it then decreased again right before school started, which made it impossible for me to return to the classroom.”