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<h2><strong>Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered by appointment at Port Royal Vaccine Clinic</strong></h2>
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<p><strong>From staff reports&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>Beginning the week of August 30, Beaufort Memorial’s Port Royal Vaccine Clinic will begin offering third doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised patients as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The clinic will expand from one to two clinic days per week to accommodate third doses while also continuing to offer first and second doses to the community. Located at 1680 Ribaut Road in Port Royal, the clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Patients who qualify can schedule an appointment by visiting www.BeaufortMemorial.org/VaxPR, or by emailing vaccineappointment@bmhsc.org. A physician’s order is not required and the vaccine is free.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>According to the CDC, a third dose of vaccine should be considered for people with moderate to severe immune compromise due to medical conditions, medications or treatments, including those who have:&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood;&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system;&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system;&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome);&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Advanced or untreated HIV infection;&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Or active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>In addition, the agency advises that the third mRNA vaccine dose be the same vaccine product as the initial two doses, and should be administered at least 28 days after the two-dose series. Patients who received the single-dose Janssen (Johnson &amp; Johnson) vaccine do not qualify to receive an mRNA booster at this time.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>For more information including Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.cdc. gov/coronavirus. To learn more about COVID-19 testing, vaccine clinics and safe care measures offered by Beaufort Memorial visit www.beaufortmemorial.org.&nbsp;</p>
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