With high transmission levels, Alexandria says third COVID vaccine dose is available for severely immunocompromised residents

Alexandria’s COVID transmission levels have been upped from “substantial” to “high”, and the city’s Health Department is recommending that severely immunocompromised residents get a third vaccine shot.

Alexandria now has 12,490 cases of COVID-19 reported since the first case in March 2020. That’s an increase of 40 reported cases since Monday.

“The CDC now recommends a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals,” the Alexandria Health Department said in a release. “The decision follows emergency use authorization by the FDA and a unanimous recommendation by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.”

AHD also said that a third dose is not recommended for the general public.

According to AHD:

Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised include those 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 or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome), advanced or untreated HIV infection, or active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

VDH says unvaccinated Virginians make up most new cases. Find more about vaccine providers here.

All Alexandria Health Department Pfizer and Moderna clinics are now offering third doses to moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals.

Choose a clinic offering the same vaccine type of your first two doses.https://t.co/NhoMsEmjGn pic.twitter.com/UAxTf990u4

— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) August 17, 2021