The Barton County Health Department will begin to offer COVID-19 booster vaccinations to the immunocompromised, county Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman said.
On Saturday, Zimmerman announced the booster dose would be available at the Barton County Health Department beginning Monday, Aug. 16, after the Health Department received clearance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to administer the additional dose.
The initial announcement of the booster’s availability came Friday afternoon after the Health Department and county officials had monitored a recent amendment to the emergency use authorizations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
“This will allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals,” Zimmerman said Friday. “Upon receipt of guidance from Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Barton County Health Department will ensure that all eligible persons have access to the boost dose in a timely manner.”
The additional dose is recommended for people who are moderately and severely immunocompromised due to a health condition or medical treatment and have already been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Documentation of qualifying condition is not a requirement, Zimmerman said. The vaccine recipient may self-attest.
Planning is currently underway with options being discussed, she said. They are gauging interest and are looking at the shots being available at the Health Department and/or via drive-through clinics.
“Conversations have already been initiated between Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock, and our collaborating partners,” Zimmerman said.
Additional information will be announced when it becomes available.
In the Saturday announcement, Zimmerman said the KDHE, along with Barton County Health Department, continues to urge people who are immunocompromised, including those who receive an additional dose of vaccine, to continue to follow prevention measures including:
• Wear a mask
• Stay six feet apart from others they don’t reside with
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
Close contacts of immunocompromised people are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
