Third Dose Introduction, Sept. 10

As of Thursday, third dose data has been included in the “Oregon COVID-19 Vaccine Daily Update” dashboard. The total number of third doses added to the state immunization registry on Sept. 8 was 24,308. Of that total, 710 third doses were administered on Sept. 8. It is important to note that “third dose” (aka “third shot” or “dose three”) and “booster dose” (aka “booster shot” or “booster”) are not the same. A third dose is specifically for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and may not have built up an adequate protective immune response with their first series of vaccinations. Currently, the only authorized third doses are for the Moderna and Pfizer Comirnaty vaccines. The recommendation is for immunocompromised individuals to receive a third dose of the same mRNA vaccine at least 28 days after receiving the second dose in the series (for individuals 18 years and older for Moderna and 12 years and older for Pfizer Comirnaty). At this time, the CDC does not have enough data to suggest that an additional dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would produce an enhanced immune response in an immunocompromised person. Another dose of Johnson & Johnson or an mRNA vaccine is not recommended for immunocompromised individuals who have already received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These recommendations will be reviewed as the data becomes available. A booster dose is for people whose immunity may be fading after they complete their first vaccination series. There is currently no COVID-19 vaccine authorized as a booster. The FDA and CDC will examine data on the safety and efficacy of booster doses in order to issue guidance, which will inform recommendations in Oregon.
According to the CDC, an individual is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they have completed the primary vaccine series (i.e., the two-dose mRNA Moderna or Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine series or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine), regardless of their immunocompromised status.