Local health care providers offer coronavirus booster appointments for immune-compromised

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Several health organizations in Mid-Missouri are now offering appointments for booster shots to people with weakened immune systems.

The Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine can now be given at least 28 days after the first two doses if the patient is diagnosed with conditions that leave them more vulnerable to the virus because of their immune system.

Health organizations are encouraging individuals to talk to their health care provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them or with any questions.

The recommendation is to get the third dose eight months after the second dose.

Those currently eligible for the additional COVID-19 vaccine include people who have: 

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

Boone County/Columbia

Boone County providers such as MU Health Care, Boone Hospital and the Columbia/Boone County Health Department will be offering the third shot.

Those wishing to schedule the booster dose with MU Health Care can call 573-771-CARE. A physician's order is not needed to to do so. MU does recommend contacting a doctor beforehand. More information can be found here. MU Health Care only has Pfizer shots available.

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department is offering a third dose for any individual qualifying for the shot. The health department requires individuals to sign an attestation stating that they qualify for a third dose and encourages the additional dose be the same brand as the initial doses. Individuals should present their CDC COVID-19 vaccination card at the time of the third dose vaccination. Right now the department is only offering Pfizer for booster shots.

Click here for a full list of local vaccinators and upcoming vaccination clinics.

Hy-Vee is offering the booster dose for all qualifying patients. Hy-Vee is urging that patients getting a booster dose bring their COVID-19 vaccination record card to their appointment.

Boone Hospital leaders are meeting Thursday to plan booster shot distribution. More information will be released when available.

Cole County

Cole County providers such as Capital Region, SSM Health, Jefferson City Medical Group and the Community Health Center of Central Missouri are offering the third dose. All of these medical facilities are able to give first, second, and now third shots.

Cole County health leaders recommend patients contact their doctor's office before scheduling the shot.

At this time The Cole County Health Department will not be offering the shot.

Miller County

Miller County hospital Lake Regional will also be offering a third dose.

It is not necessary to be an established patient with Lake Regional to receive a vaccination appointment. Patients should bring their vaccination card to the appointment. Patients will be required to sign a statement indicating they personally consider themselves moderately to severely immunocompromised and are eligible for a booster dose.

Booster for everyone by September

U.S. health officials announced Wednesday that booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered for everyone by Sept. 20.

The decision is subject to authorization from the FDA and sign-off from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The officials said that the authorized Covid-19 vaccines are "remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating delta variant," but it's clear that protection against the coronavirus begins to decrease over time.

While the initial booster doses will be for the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the officials said that they anticipate booster shots will be needed for those who received the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.