COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose FAQ

COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose FAQ

COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose FAQ

The Food and Drug Administration has approved, and the , a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for patients with certain conditions, including those who have had an organ transplant and/or those who are immunocompromised.

Here are answers to common questions from patients at the 华体会 Organ Transplant Center regarding third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is a third dose the same as a booster?
No. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is the same as the first and second doses, and is recommended for people with certain health conditions. Booster vaccines are not the same as third doses.

Do I need to call the Transplant Center before I get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
 No.

Do I need a letter from the Transplant Center stating that I have had an organ transplant?
 No.

When should I get the third dose?
 The third dose can be given as soon as 28 days after your second dose. We recommend you get it as soon as you can.

Can I get other vaccines around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine?
 Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time that you get other vaccines.

I just received my organ transplant last month. How long do I have to wait to receive the vaccine?
 This depends on your immunosuppression treatment schedule. Most people can get vaccinated one to three months after surgery; some need to wait up to six months.

Do I need to test for antibodies before or after the vaccine?
No.

I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Can I get another vaccine dose?
 If you have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, an additional dose is not recommended at this time. We continue to follow .

Do I have to get the same brand as the first two vaccines I received?
 Yes. Your third dose should be from the same manufacturer as your first two doses.

Where can I get the vaccine?

  • Major retail pharmacies are offering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Options include Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, CVS and Jewel Osco.
  • You can send a text message with your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) (English) or VACUNA (822862) (Spanish). The response will show you the closest pharmacies, what vaccines they have in stock and if you need an appointment.

Is 华体会 offering third doses?
 Yes, but only for patients who need the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Patients can find locations at .

Can my kidney/liver donor get a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine now?

  • Unfortunately, not at this time. Third doses are only approved for patients with certain medical conditions.
  • If your donor has not been vaccinated at all for COVID-19, they should do so to protect their health. They can learn more at .

Can I travel after I get my third dose?
 You should not travel unless you need to. We are still recommending that our patients:

  • Avoid nonessential travel.
  • Continue masking.
  • Continue physical distancing.
  • Take extra caution in areas with increasing COVID-19 cases.
  • Avoid high-risk exposures, such as indoor dining, concerts and close contact with people who have not been vaccinated.

What common symptoms do you see in patients who have had an organ transplant and test positive for COVID-19?

  • Patients who are vaccinated tend to show mild symptoms, including a cough and slight fever.
  • Patients who are unvaccinated tend to have severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath and uncontrolled fevers, requiring hospitalization.

My family members who are unvaccinated want to come stay with me for a few days. Is that OK?
 No. Close contact with people who are not vaccinated poses a high risk to your health.

Do I have to change anything with my medications or frequency of lab draws after my third dose of COVID-19 vaccine?
 No.

Are there any specific side effects from the third dose that affect patients who have had a transplant?
 Our patients commonly experience the same side effects as anyone else who has gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Common side effects include:

  • Arm soreness
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Mild fever that goes away within 24 hours

Can I still test positive if I received the COVID-19 vaccine?
 Yes. The vaccine is not 100% effective in preventing infection. If you do become infected, the vaccine supports your immune system in fighting the virus. The vaccine is highly effective at reducing the length and seriousness of the illness. If you are vaccinated, you are much less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19.


Preguntas comunes para el refuerzo de COVID

驴Necesito llamar primero a la cl铆nica de trasplante para obtenerla?
No.

驴Necesito una carta del centro de trasplantes de que soy receptor de trasplante?
No.

驴Cu谩ndo deber铆a recibir la 3rd vacuna contra el COVID?
Ahora o al menos 28 d铆as a partir de los 2nd vacuna contra el COVID.

驴Puedo recibir otras vacunas al mismo tiempo que la vacuna contra el COVID?
Est谩 bien obtenerlo al mismo tiempo - anteriormente los CDC dijeron por separado antes de 2 semanas antes de tener suficientes datos.

Acabo de recibir mi trasplante de 贸rganos el mes pasado - 驴cu谩nto tiempo debo esperar para recibir la vacuna?
Depende de su inmunosupresores de inducci贸n - generalmente 1-3 meses, algunas veces 6 meses.

驴Necesito probar anticuerpos antes o despu茅s de la vacuna?
No.

Tengo la vacuna J&J, 驴califico?
Si ha recibido la vacuna J&J, no se recomienda un refuerzo en este momento- es posible que recibamos un anuncio la pr贸xima semana.

驴Tengo que recibir la misma marca que las primeras dos vacunas que recib铆?
S铆, se recomienda que usted se queda con el mismo fabricante.

驴D贸nde puedo recibir la vacuna?

  • Si usted le enviara su c贸digo postal a GETVAX (438829) (ingl茅s) o VACUNA (822862) (espa帽ol), le mostrar谩 las farmacias m谩s cercanas, qu茅 vacunas tienen disponibles y si necesita una cita.
  • Farmacias locales tales como: Walgreens (pase), Walmart (cita), Costco, CVS, Jewel Osco.

驴Northwestern est谩 proporcionando refuerzos de refuerzo?
S铆, pero solo Pfizer. Los pacientes pueden encontrar ubicaciones en .

驴Puede mi donador de ri帽贸n/h铆gado recibir una dosis de refuerzo de la vacuna ahora tambi茅n?
Desafortunadamente, no en este momento - aquellos que tienen un sistema inmune comprometido califican; si no se han vacunado, deber谩n.

驴Puedo viajar despu茅s de recibir el refuerzo?
Seguir recomendando evitar viajes no esenciales, continuar tapando, distanciarse socialmente, seguir teniendo precauci贸n con el aumento de los casos de COVID y evitar las exposici贸nes de alto riesgo - comidas en el interior, conciertos, alrededor de personas no vacunadas.

驴Cu谩les son los s铆ntomas comunes que vemos para nuestros pacientes de trasplante que s铆 tienen un resultado positivo de COVID?
No vacunado - hospitalizaci贸n, s铆ntomas graves - SOB, fiebres no controladas, vacunados - S铆ntomas leves - tos, fiebre leve.

Mis primos que no est谩n vacunados quieren venir a quedarse conmigo unos d铆as, 驴pueden?
No.

驴Tengo que cambiar algo con mis medicamentos o la frecuencia de las pruebas de laboratorio?
No.

驴Hay alg煤n efecto secundario espec铆fico que los pacientes de trasplante obtengan despu茅s del refuerzo?
Nuestros pacientes com煤nmente experimentan los mismos efectos secundarios que cualquier otra persona. Entonces algo de dolor de brazo, dolor de cabeza, fatiga, fiebre leve que disminuye en 24 horas, etc.

驴Puedo seguir teniendo un resultado positivo si me han recibido la vacuna?
厂铆.