Is there a difference between a booster shot or a 3rd dose vaccine for COVID-19? Warren County Health Department Administrator Jenna Link informs what goes in your arm is the same, but for who receives a booster or a 3rd dose, there is a difference:
“Anyone that is currently receiving any active cancer treatment, anybody that has received an organ transplant or taking medication to suppress immune systems, stem cell transplants within the last two years, HIV infection or treatment; so there are some specific groups, or if you are receiving high dose cortisone steroids that would suppress your immune system. So if your immune system is suppressed, you don’t respond as well to the vaccination and so they have said they need that 3rd dose to really make their immune system respond and work the way it needs to fight off COVID. For the rest of the population, they are seeing that after about eight months, they think that the effectiveness of the vaccine is starting to wane and they are suggesting the booster.”
For the booster or 3rd dose vaccine, Link says to receive the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson and Johnson dose as before. Testing and vaccine clinics continue to be available throughout Warren County. During the month of September, the Health Department will be offering vaccine clinics every Wednesday for all three doses from 1:30 to 4 pm by appointment only. To schedule an appointment with the Warren County Health Department call 309-734-0823.
