Los Angeles County has begun administering third doses of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain immunocompromised people who qualify, a move that follows the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approval of an additional dose of the vaccines for immunocompromised people.

According to the FDA, a third dose can be administered at least 28 days following a second dose. A follow-up dose is not currently recommended for people who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

Although the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work well for most individuals, there is evidence that individuals who are severely immunocompromised are not fully protected after receiving two doses. This small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose. Certain medical conditions or the treatments used for specific conditions may prevent the immune system from responding adequately to two doses of the vaccine and therefore require an additional dose.

Individuals who qualify for a third dose include organ transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment, people with advanced or untreated HIV, and those on certain immunosuppressive medications. Individuals should ideally be vaccinated with the same vaccine they received for the first and second dose, but if that is not possible, receiving a third dose with another mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is acceptable, according to L.A. County.

Individuals who qualify for a third dose are encouraged to speak to their healthcare provider to confirm their eligibility and to get vaccinated. Third doses of the vaccine will be accessible through vaccination sites that currently offer Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Eligible individuals will be able to provide a self-attestation that they have a qualifying medical condition at these sites.

Los Angeles County coordinates a COVID-19 testing site at Plummer Park in West Hollywood, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. The testing site is open each week from Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For information, visit weho.org/coronavirus.