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Memorial Health System Authorizes Third Vaccine For Immunocompromised Patients

Memorial Health Systems which includes Taylorville Memorial Hospital in Taylorville announced that they have begun scheduling a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines at its drive-thru lab on South Sixth Street for people with compromised immune systems.  The CDC recommends that a third dose of the Moderna and PfizerNTech COVID-19 vaccines for people with moderately or severely compromised immune systems who are at least 12 years old. The FDA has amended its emergency use authorization to allow people with compromised immune systems to receive a third shot of both vaccines.

 

Research has indicated that the vaccines' effectiveness can diminish over time for certain patients, especially those with weakened immune systems. Dr. Anna Richie, clinical director of Memorial Physician Services ExpressCare says that with the Delta variant creating another surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, it's vital that the most vulnerable patients need to be protected from this virus and this third dose will ensure that that can happen.

 

To receive the third dose, patients of Memorial Health Systems can go online to schedule their visit at vaccination.mhsil.com.  A doctor's order is not required.  The Memorial Drive-Thru Lab on South Sixth Street is at 2950 South Sixth Street in Springfield. The third shot will be available for patients who are receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood, those who have received an organ transplant and are taking meds to suppress their immune system, those who have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency, and those who have an advanced or untreated HIV infection.  You may also be eligible for the third dose of the vaccine if you are receiving active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune system. 

The third shot must be given at least 28 days after patients have received their second dose according to CDC recommendations. The Pfizer vaccine is administered to patients who are 12 years old and older; the Moderna vaccine is for patients who are at least 18 years old. An additional shot has not been approved for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  

 

 

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