Following CDC guidance recommending immuno-compromised people receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster, the VT Dept. of Health has scheduled community clinics where the shots are available.
The booster shots are deemed necessary because of the high rate of nationwide ‘breakthrough’ cases. During the first week of August, an estimated 38% of Vermont’s 490 cases were “breakthroughs” of previously vaccinated individuals. At Tuesday’s press conference, Health Commissioner Mark Levine downplayed but did not dismiss an alternative treatment, the anti-viral agent ivermectin. Recent studies show Ivermectin has a transmission prevention rate of up to 75%.
At this time, CDC recommends the third dose for people who have compromised immune systems and have received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. An additional dose is not currently recommended for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Eligible individuals must self-attest that they qualify.
People are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised if they have:
- Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
- Receipt of a solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
- Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory
“People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “Some primary care providers are equipped to give an additional dose to those who are eligible.”
A list of vaccination sites offering additional doses are available at healthvermont.gov.