Long Beach health officials said Tuesday they will begin offering third-dose booster vaccines for those who are immunocompromised.

Last week Los Angeles County made a similar announcement stating that it would offer booster shots to those undergoing cancer treatment, who are organ recipients, HIV patients and others on select “immunosuppressive medications.”

The announcement from the city clarified that the third dose is not meant to be a “delta booster” but to provide an additional layer of protection to immunocompromised individuals.

“It’s important for folks who are immune-compromised to consider a third vaccine dose,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Long Beach will continue to offer vaccines to those who need them.”

Reports surfaced Monday that the Biden Administration would likely recommend a third-dose booster shot for all eligible Americans who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The third doses would be recommended eight months after a person’s second dose was given with the first batch of third doses being offered as soon as mid-September, according to the New York Times.

The decision to offer third doses to immunocompromised Americans first is supported by studies that have shown that those people don’t always develop the same level of immunity as others when vaccinated, and other small studies that have shown immunocompromised people have accounted for a large portion of patients in hospitals with “breakthrough” COVID-19 infections.

People who are qualified to receive the third dose must wait 28 days after receiving their second dose, according to the city’s release. Immunocompromised persons 12 and older are eligible to receive a third shot of the Pfizer vaccine while those 18 and over are eligible to get a third dose of Moderna. A person’s third dose must match their initial two doses. People seeking a third dose will be asked to self-attest to having one of the qualifying medical conditions.

As of now, additional doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine have not been approved by the federal government.

Those eligible for a third dose include people who 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 2 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

Information about the city’s vaccine clinic locations and hours of operation can be found here.

LA County offers 3rd booster doses Of COVID vaccine to those with compromised immune systems