Anne Arundel County Department of Health issued the following announcement on Oct. 19.
This week Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman discusses:
• Who needs a third dose of the COVID vaccine and why?
Welcome to our Weekly Health Update. The COVID vaccines are safe and effective, and they’re our path out of this pandemic. Sixty-six percent of all people in the county, and 77% of those 12 and older, have received at least one dose. This week, let’s talk about the importance of vaccination in the immunocompromised.
Why do some people need a 3rd dose of the COVID vaccine?
For people who are immunocompromised, their immune system isn’t as effective at building an immune response. A 3rd dose of the COVID vaccine provides additional stimulation to the immune system to increase their antibodies and provide a stronger level of protection.
Who should get a 3rd dose?
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get a 3rd dose of the same mRNA vaccine, either Pfizer or Moderna, 28 days after their second dose. People with the following conditions are considered moderately or severely immunocompromised:
• Cancer
• Solid organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy
• Stem cell transplant recipients within 2 years of transplant or on immunosuppressive therapy
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection, OR
• Treatment with immunosuppressive medications
How does this relate to what happened to Colin Powell this week?
This week, former Secretary of State Colin Powell passed away. He had multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the blood. He had gotten two doses of the vaccine. He was scheduled to get his third dose of the vaccine but got COVID just days before he could do so. People who are immunocompromised, like Colin Powell, are at high risk for getting severe COVID if they get infected. The vaccine brings that risk down, but they are still at risk for breakthrough infection. If you’re immunocompromised, please get your 3rd dose of vaccine. And if you’re around those who are immunocompromised, get your vaccine now to decrease your chance of getting and spreading COVID. You have the power to protect those you love.
There are about 40 people hospitalized with COVID in the county, and our case rate is down to 13 per 100,000. Halloween is around the corner. With kids under 11 not able to get a vaccine until early November, don’t let COVID spread be one of the Halloween horrors. Have your kids stay safe by wearing a mask (the COVID kind) and avoid large gatherings.
Stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. We’ll see you next week.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Anne Arundel County Department of Health
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