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31 Aug Philadelphia COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter • August 23

Posted at 14:00h in news by

Below please find the latest update on Philadelphia’s vaccine mandates, the 3rd dose, information about lost cards, and more.

In our immediate area, starting August 24th and every Tuesday thereafter, patients can go to the Free Library Library of Philadelphia in Tacony at 6742 Torresdale Avenue between the hours of 10am and 4pm to receive either the Pfizer or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Philadelphia COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter

Philadelphia Department of Public Health

The Latest Numbers

  • 1,062,863 people have received at least one dose and 869,156 people are fully vaccinated in Philadelphia as of August 20, 2021.
  • Find the newest information on the PDPH COVID-19 webpage at phila.gov/COVID and PDPH social media (Facebook and Twitter).

 

Latest COVID Vaccine News

  • Philadelphia’s new masking requirements begin on Thursday, August 12.
  • ​New policy for city workers to stay safe from the Delta variant.
    • ​All City workers will be required to be fully vaccinated or double-masked if not fully vaccinated. More information can be found at https://bit.ly/0901cityVaxPolicy.
  • ​COVID-19 Information now available in 11 languages!
    • ​Check out the Summer Edition COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter available in Arabic, Bengali, English, French, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese at https://hip.phila.gov/Newsletters.
  • ​Need transportation to your COVID-19 vaccine appointment?
    • ​Seniors ride FREE and reduced transit fare for people with access and functional needs under age 65.
    • Seniors can ride free by scanning a PA driver’s license or ID card issued before July 2017 on all SEPTA vehicles, or by registering for a Senior Ride Free Card.
    • To register or for more information, call 215-580-7145 and press #6.
      • Call center hours are Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. 
  • Sports Center – Free Phillies Tickets are being offered at all PDPH indoor vaccination clinics!
    • ​Only two tickets per person. Please inquire at the clinic when you arrive.
    • Available on a first come, first served basis. Get them before they are gone!
  • Lost your vaccination card?
    • Philadelphia residents who have lost their COVID-19 vaccination card or who cannot obtain a copy of their record from their provider can call 215-685-5488 or email covid@phila.gov for instructions on how to request a copy of their immunization record.
  • Federal COVID-19 vaccine incentives, giveaways, and discounts – vaccines.gov/incentives.html

 

FAQ on 3rd doses of the COVID vaccine

  • I heard I can get a 3rd dose of the COVID vaccine? Should I get one?
    • The CDC recommends people who are immunocompromised get a 3rd dose if they got Pfizer or Moderna for their 1st and 2nd doses.
    • This is because people who are immunocompromised have a weaker immune system, and after two doses of the vaccine, the level of protection from the COVID-19 virus was still low. In some cases, it was so low that the level of protection could not be measured.
    • People with normal immune systems are NOT recommended to get a 3rd dose at this time. This is because research is showing that the vaccines work really well in people with normal immune systems.
    • If you are immunocompromised or take a medication that affects your immune system, please speak with your healthcare provider to determine if you should get a third dose of the vaccine.
  • Doesn’t another shot mean extra protection?
    • All of the vaccines provide excellent protection against severe illnes from the COVID-19 virus.
    • Researchers found that after the 2nd dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) people with normal immune systems show very strong protection against the COVID-19 virus, so another shot is not necessary and is not recommended at this time.
  • Is a 3rd dose the same as a booster?​​
    • No, a 3rd dose is recommended only for people with weakened immune systems.
    • A booster dose is given when the strength of the vaccine becomes too little to provide enough protection.​​
      • A booster may also be a different amount of vaccine than the original two doses. 
  • Is everyone who has a weakened immune system recommended to get a third dose?
    • No, the CDC only recommends that people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised get a third dose.
    • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised 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, or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
      • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
      • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may supress your immune response
    • People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
  • I am immunocompromised and on the list of recommended conditions, what should I know?
    • If you got an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), the CDC recommends that you get a third dose at least 4 weeks (28 days) after your second dose.
      • You must get the same type of vaccine for all three doses.
    • Vaccine clinics are not requiring a doctor’s note or documentation that you are immunocompromised.
    • If you received a J&J vaccine, you are not yet eligible for a third dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
  • Where can I find more information?

 

Where to get more information about the COVID-19 vaccine


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