Memorial Hermann Offering Fully-Approved Pfizer Vaccine, Plus Booster for Immunocompromised Individuals

HOUSTON (August 24, 2021)

Memorial Hermann is currently administering first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at its walk-in clinics throughout the Greater Houston area and encourages those individuals who were waiting for full Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization of the vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“This vaccine is a great tool for preventing serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19,” said Annamaria Macaluso Davidson, M.D., Vice President of Employee Health Medical Operations for Memorial Hermann Health System. “We have seen the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine over the past nine months, and this is an important step that will hopefully help additional people feel more comfortable to get vaccinated.”

In addition, third doses – or booster shots – of the fully-approved Pfizer vaccine, as well as the Moderna vaccine which is still under EUA, are being administered in hospitals and clinics throughout the Greater Houston area to immunocompromised individuals who meet criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. These moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals include:

  • Those receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
  • Organ transplant recipients and those who are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
  • Those who have received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
  • Those with advanced or untreated HIV infection.
  • Those undergoing active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress their immune response.

 It is recommended that these individuals receive an additional (third) dose of either COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after receiving their second dose of the same vaccine.

According to the CDC, the authorization of an additional dose or booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for those with a compromised immune system does not apply to individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

Individuals should speak with their healthcare provider before receiving an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligible individuals should plan to show their COVID-19 vaccination card when receiving the additional dose. At the time of scheduling an appointmentor prior to receiving an additional dose, individuals will be required to self-attest that they meet the criteria for receiving a booster shot.

Memorial Hermann will begin administering the third dose to the general public the week of Sept. 20, 2021, per the CDC’s recommendation. These individuals can get their booster shot eight months after receiving their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. More details will be shared on this process as the date gets closer.

To schedule an appointment at a Memorial Hermann vaccine clinic, please complete the online COVID-19 Vaccine Request Form.