Local immunocompromised individuals may get 3rd vaccine dose
Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are piled on a table during a vaccination clinic at Rising Mountains Assisted Living in Bigfork. Mackenzie Reiss/Bigfork Eagle
The Flathead City-County Health Department is taking online request forms from people with weakened immune systems for third doses of the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines.
Health department staff will follow up to schedule an appointment with any immunocompromised person who submits a request form at flatheadhealth.org.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance and now recommends a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for people with certain immune system conditions. The local health department is not offering third doses or booster shots to the general population.
"Our nursing staff is actively monitoring for updated guidance regarding additional doses of vaccine," the department said. "At this point in time, in accordance with CDC guidance, only immunocompromised individuals will be receiving an additional vaccine dose. Moving forward, the Flathead City-County Health Department website will be the best place for individuals to look for updated guidance regarding 'booster' doses."
The CDC recommends third shots for:
People receiving treatment for cancerous tumors or blood cancers.
Organ transplant recipients who take medicine to suppress the immune system.
Those who have received stem cell transplants within the past two years or are taking related medicine to suppress the immune system.
People with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency disorders, such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
Those with advanced or untreated HIV infection.
Those receiving treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune response.
The local health department also has BinaxNOW Covid-19 antigen tests available for people to test themselves free of charge. The tests can be picked up from the Community Health Services office. People with symptoms of Covid-19 should have someone else pick up the test for them.
The tests will not qualify for travel-related clearances or releases from quarantine, unless the sample collection and testing procedure is observed by a health-care professional, the health department said.
People can call 406-751-8250 to discuss specific case information, the department said. It could take several days for staff to respond due to a backlog of calls.