Montco to offer COVID booster shots for immunocompromised people

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The Montgomery County Office of Public Health will accept appointments for a third dose  of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised individuals starting on August 23, the county announced Friday. Online registration for the booster shot is available now.

The Centers for Disease Control recommend people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of the mRNA vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Individuals are encouraged to bring their vaccination card and are required to sign a form to confirm their eligibility for a third dose. Third doses must match the vaccine they received for their first and second dose.

Federal health officials are preparing to roll out COVID-19 booster shots for all U.S. adults in September. According to a plan announced Wednesday, all U.S. adults who received a two-dose vaccine would be eligible for an additional jab of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine eight months from when they got their second one.

“These booster shots are free,” President Biden said in remarks Wednesday afternoon encouraging people in the U.S. to get the shots when it’s their turn. “It will be easy. Just show your vaccination card, get a booster … It will make you safer and for longer. And it will help us end the pandemic faster.”

NPR contributed to this report.