Aug. 18, 2021. Reno/Sparks, NV – Starting today, Washoe County residents who are immunocompromised can now receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center drive-through clinic or Health District Community Vaccine Events if they meet certain criteria outlined by the Food & Drug Administration.
Those who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine are not eligible for the third dose. At this time, only those immunocompromised are eligible for a third dose and this is separate from impending announcements about booster shots for those who’ve been fully vaccinated for more than eight months.
The Washoe County Health District joins CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens Pharmacy as organizations in Washoe County who received permission from the State of Nevada to begin administering additional doses, which have been shown to offer better protection from COVID-19 for those who need it most. Some doctor’s offices also have the ability to administer third doses.
Eligibility
Those eligible include, but are not limited to, 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 the immune response
Residents must bring proof of vaccination card to the appointment. Those with questions about their vaccination card should request that information through WebIZ.
Those who meet the above conditions will only be given the third dose if it has been at least 28 days since the last dose of either Pfizer or Moderna. The third dose, which is identical to the doses that have been administered all along, must be the same vaccine type as administered for the first/second doses. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine was not authorized for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time.
How to get the third shot?
- Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC) – Those who are eligible can visit the drive-through vaccine location at 1350 N Wells Ave in Reno (enter at Wells Avenue and Sadleir Way intersection).
- No appointment is needed at this time.
- Hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- CVS Pharmacy locations in Washoe County
- Walgreen’s Pharmacy locations in Washoe County
What to bring
For third doses at the RSLEC, residents must bring their COVID-19 vaccination card. If you do not have your card, request your information through the state’s immunization portal, WebIZ. When you arrive at RSLEC, you will fill out paperwork self-attesting to your immunocompromising condition. For those looking for an appointment, there is currently not an option on our online sign up form. That feature will be added as soon as possible.
For third doses at CVS and Walgreens, please contact those organizations with questions.
Difference between ‘booster’ and ‘third dose’
This additional dose has been referred to as a “booster,” which is technically inaccurate. A booster is for non-immunocompromised people as it supports immune responses that have weakened over time. A third dose is for those who didn’t have a strong enough immune response after the first series because of their condition.
The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. While press releases are only sent periodically for significant events, you can always get daily results on our website, https://covid19washoe.com/, our COVID-19 Dashboard or by following us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s.