Connecticut DPH Is Collaborating With Hospitals And Physician Leaders To Establish COVID Third Dose Guidelines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 16, 2021

CONTACT:     Chris Boyle, Director of Communications

                        (860) 706-9654 – christopher.boyle@ct.gov

Connecticut Department of Public Health Is Collaborating With Hospitals And

Physician Leaders Across The State To Establish COVID Third Dose Guidelines

HARTFORD, Conn. – Following the Centers for Disease Control announcement on Friday, the Connecticut Department of Public Health said it is collaborating with hospitals and health systems across the state to establish consistent guidelines for administering the third dose of the COVID vaccine. Third doses are indicated for severely immunocompromised individuals who might not have mounted an adequate immune response with two doses of either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The Connecticut Hospital Association also is working with DPH and the state providers on the outreach to potential vaccine candidates.  In line with federal guidelines, Connecticut will use a self-attestation model for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

People are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised if they are/have: 

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• 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)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Residents who already know that they meet these clinical guidelines can contact a vaccine provider and make an appointment for the third dose For those who are unsure if they should receive a third dose, they can:

1. Await a communication from their health care provider indicating eligibility for a third dose, or
2. Contact their health care provider to confirm their eligibility.

Recipients of solid organ transplants and others who are moderately or severely immunocompromised who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are advised to receive a third dose of that vaccine at least four weeks following their second dose. The CDC’s latest guidance on the third dose does not apply to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Individuals who do not meet the criteria for “moderately to severely immunocompromised” do not need a third dose at this time.                   

_{Published by: Heather Trabal, MD}

_{Heather.Trabal@ct.gov}