Health Department offering additional Moderna/Pfizer dose

The Lenoir County Health Department is currently providing an additional dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine to those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; for example, people who have had an organ transplant or who are undergoing treatment for cancer.  

The additional dose can be given 28 days or later after the second dose. Immunocompromised individuals are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider to ensure that an additional dose is appropriate for them. The additional dose is being recommended because immunocompromised individuals may not have had a good immune response in the first place — even after two doses — due to their medical condition. No additional dose is currently recommended for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Separately from the additional dose for immunocompromised individuals, the FDA and CDC are currently analyzing data to determine if and when a booster dose may be needed for those who are already fully vaccinated. The Lenoir County Health Department will offer booster doses if they are recommended and approved by the FDA and CDC.  

Vaccines are currently the most powerful tool available for slowing the spread of COVID and protecting the community from the Delta variant. Millions of vaccines have now been administered in the U.S. and the Pfizer vaccine is fully FDA-approved. These vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe disease and death. Being vaccinated also means offering protection to those who cannot receive the vaccine at this time — the biggest unvaccinated group being children.

While vaccines are the best protection against COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy can help if a person has had symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days or less or has been exposed to COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies can reduce the chance of becoming very sick, being hospitalized or dying. Check with your medical provider to see if monoclonal antibody therapy is an option for you or call 877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish) or visit covidinfusioncenter.org.

For a vaccination appointment at the Lenoir County Health Department, call 252-526-4200, ext. 4281; for a testing appointment, call 252-526-4265.