SRPMIC Ready to Administer Third COVID-19 Shot for Immunocompromised Individuals

By Chris Picciuolo

Submitted by Kim Secakuku

Media Relations Specialist, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced recommendations for a third COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised individuals. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Department of Health and Human Services is prepared to provide this third shot to those in the Salt River Indian Community who are immunocompromised.

“If you have questions or concerns, SRPMIC HHS suggests talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition and discussing with your provider if the additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is appropriate for you,” said Dr. Nancy Mangieri, SRPMIC epidemiologist. “There is a difference between being immunocompromised and being high-risk, and your doctor can assist in determining if you will need a third dose.”

The SRPMIC will follow the CDC’s guidance for immunocompromised individuals to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible individuals must:

Have been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
Have received an organ transplant and be taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Have received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or be taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
Have advanced or untreated HIV infection
Be undergoing active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune response

If you are an immunocompromised SRPMIC member and receive your care at the Salt River Integrated Healthcare Clinic, HHS will reach out to you offering a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Calls are being made to individuals to schedule an appointment for their third dose.

If you are an immunocompromised individual who receives healthcare outside the Community, it is highly recommended that you speak with your doctor to confirm that the third dose is right for you. Those who meet the CDC criteria for immunocompromised, are eligible to receive a third dose, and fit in the categories below can receive their third vaccine at a Community COVID-19 vaccine site.

These are:

Community members and family
Community residents and family
SRPMIC Business and Enterprise employees and family members
SRPMIC member-owned business employees and family members

SRPMIC HHS is administering the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to those who qualify at the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic located at the Salt River Gymnasium, 1880 N. Longmore Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85256.

The COVID-19 vaccine clinic is open every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed for a lunch break from 12 to 1 p.m. There is a separate parking area for these individuals to better serve them for their third shot. They will not need to leave their vehicle. Instructions will be provided upon arrival. Face masks are required for all vehicle occupants.

If you meet the criteria to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please make an appointment by calling the SRPMIC COVID-19 Hotline at (480) 362-2603, option 3. For homebound Community members, press option 4 for assistance.

Please remember, this third dose can be administered 28 days after a person has completed the standard two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. It is only available for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines; Johnson & Johnson does not yet have a third dose recommended.

Again, if you are not sure you meet the criteria or have questions, talk to your healthcare provider about whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for you.

Booster Shots

Experts are recommending a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised people, but there is a lot of confusion between this third dose and a booster shot. The FDA and CDC will have a booster COVID-19 dose available later this year for anyone who has been fully vaccinated. The booster dose would come 8 months after you finished your initial series of two shots

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