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Immunocompromised New Yorkers Now Eligible For Third COVID-19 Vaccine Shots
By
Nsikan Akpan
Published Aug 16, 2021
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Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Nsikan Akpan
Published Aug 16, 2021
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Immunocompromised New Yorkers can officially seek a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Federal regulators approved the policy change late last week, following a string of studies and public health reports that showed the vaccine response wanes in immunocompromised groups but that they can be reinforced with an additional shot.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released an advisory over the weekend saying the policy change would take effect Monday. New Jersey’s Health Commissioner opted to follow the new guidance immediately following the authorization last Friday. New York State Department of Health announced Monday morning that it was also following suit.
The booster shots are only authorized for people who originally took the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, not Johnson & Johnson. Potential takers must also seek the same brand they received for their first and second doses. A third inoculation can be sought 28 days after a second dose via any provider, regardless of where the initial doses were received.
Qualifying groups in New York City include cancer patients and people on therapies that might weaken the immune system, such as organ transplant recipients, those on high doses of corticosteroids and people who’ve received a stem cell transplant in the last two years. People with advanced HIV or other immunodeficiencies can also receive third shots.
“For other health conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, we do not recommend a third dose at this time,’ Dr. Dave Chokshi said at City Hall briefing on Monday, while also answering whether people without pre-existing conditions need a third dose. “The simple answer is that right now you do not. But scientists are working around the clock to learn more."
New York state and New Jersey officials say their qualifications match those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that interested parties should ask their health care providers for details.
New Yorkers will need to bring along their vaccine cards and will be required to attest that they have a qualifying medical condition. No other documentation will be required.
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Nsikan Akpan
Nsikan is the former editor of the health and science desk at WNYC/Gothamist. Nsikan was previously at National Geographic where he worked as a science editor, overseeing its COVID-19 coverage in addition to other topics in science, health and technology. Before National Geographic, he worked for more than four years at PBS NewsHour, where he co-created an award-winning video series named ScienceScope. He shared a 2020 Emmy for the PBS NewsHour series “Stopping a Killer Pandemic” and in 2019 received a George Foster Peabody Award for the PBS NewsHour series “The Plastic Problem.” Nsikan has also worked for NPR, Science News Magazine, Science Magazine, KUSP Central Coast Public Radio, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and as a writer at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University. He holds a doctorate in pathobiology from Columbia University and is an alum of the science communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
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