COVID Vaccine Booster Shot Dose Available To Some

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St. Luke’s healthcare worker Taylor Slettum performs a vaccine draw. Photo credit: St. Luke’s

St. Luke’s Health System has begun scheduling moderately to severely immunocompromised patients for third doses of mRNA vaccines Moderna and Pfizer. St. Luke’s recommends patients who are unsure if they should receive a third dose consult with their primary care provider. 

For the best experience, individuals who have not received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine—or are immunocompromised and believe they qualify for a third dose—are highly encouraged to schedule through the myChart app. To access myChart or set up a new myChart account, visit Stlukesonline.org/myChart or call (208) 381-9000. If a patient would like to schedule a vaccine and is unable to access myChart, they may call (208) 381-9500 to connect with a team member for assistance.    

Due to current patient volumes, there may be wait times at St. Luke’s clinic if a patient does not have a scheduled appointment. The health provider said it will continue to meet the need for walk-ins. Individuals should bring their vaccination cards with them at the time of their appointment.

While the third vaccination is recommended for some people, it is not considered urgent. If someone feels they cannot wait, they can seek their third dose from a commercial pharmacy or other healthcare organization that is providing the safe, effective, free COVID-19 vaccines. 

At this time, an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose has not been recommended by the CDC for those who have received non-mRNA vaccines (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Though it is recommended that the third dose be the same brand as the initial series, it is not necessary if that brand is not available. For example, someone who received a Pfizer primer and booster may receive Moderna for their third dose.