Patients with weakened immune systems — who are at high risk from covid-19 — say pharmacies are turning them away when they seek additional vaccine doses recommended by federal health officials.
Alyson Smith was eligible for a fourth dose of vaccines this month because she is immunocompromised from her medications.
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages most adults to receive a total of three mRNA vaccines — two “primary” vaccinations and a booster — the agency now advises people with weak immune systemsFor a total of four doses, you will receive three primary shots and a booster.
Many people are confused about what a booster is and what a primary vaccine series is. A booster is used to combat waning immunity.
As Smith learned, many pharmacists are unaware that the CDC’s vaccine guidance has changed.
Smith booked her appointment for vaccines online. But when she showed up at a Chicago-area Walgreens for the appointment Jan. 19, an employee told her the pharmacy chain wasn’t administering fourth doses to anyone.
Smith said she’s frustrated that vulnerable people are being forced to make multiple visits to crowded pharmacies and supermarkets, where many customers are unmasked.
“I feel for the pharmacists, because they’re overwhelmed like everyone else,” said Smith, 52. “But two years into the pandemic, there is a corporate responsibility to take action when the guidance comes down.”
Walgreens wrote that it had given thousands of fourth doses to people with immunocompromised conditions. “As vaccination guidelines continue to evolve, we make every effort to continuously update our pharmacy teams.”
Recent updates in the MLS have created confusion. vaccine advice for immunocompromised peopleAs well as a change in the intervalBetween the end a primary vaccine series, and a booster
- In AugustIn 1996, the CDC began allowing immunocompromised persons to receive a third dose mRNA vaccination as part of their primary vaccine.
- The CDC quietly updated their website in October to allow people with suppressed immune system to get a fourth shot as a booster.
- In JanuaryThe agency shortened the waiting time for boosters from six months to five.
People who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine are eligible for a single booster, for a total of two shots, according to the CDC.
Some pharmacists have struggled to keep up with the changes in vaccine guidelines, according to Mitchel Rothholz, chief for governance and state affiliates at The. American Pharmacists Association. He said that pharmacy employees have been able to cope with an ever-increasing workload and a deeper shortage of workers during the pandemic.
“I don’t know any provider who wants to turn away a patient,” Rothholz said. “The CDC continues to make updates, and it’s becoming very difficult for providers at the grassroots level to keep up. I can understand why a pharmacist would say, ‘Corporate hasn’t given us the green light.’”
Confusion about who is eligible for a fourth shot “was inevitable, although I’m not saying it’s right or wrong,” he said.
Many patients and their doctors are frustrated.
If patients keep up with the latest guidelines, they ask, why can’t their pharmacy?
“It’s ridiculous,” said Dr. Dorry Segev,Johns Hopkins University transplant surgeon and researcher. “CDC makes it very clear that it’s allowed, and even people who print out the CDC guidance and take it to their pharmacies are being turned away.”
Charis Hill, 34 joined a chorus of immuno-suppressed people who have been posting their concerns on social networks in recent days. Jan. 21 was a day when Hill tweeted that Rite Aid should educate its staff. the retailer tweeted back that day, saying, “We’re very sorry you didn’t have a great experience, Charis. Please check back with us early next month for more information regarding the fourth dose.”
In a written statement, Rite Aid said it continually educates its staff as CDC advice changes, and “is looking into the response that was provided to the customer on social media.”
Dr. Shikha Jain is an assistant professor of medicine at University of Illinois Cancer Center in Chicago. She said that patients from rural areas often travel long distances to seek vaccines. One of her patients was “almost in tears” after being turned away. Jain tried to help by calling pharmacy, but she was so busy that she couldn’t get through to patients.
Jain stated that the CDC should do a better job of educating pharmacists and doctors.
The CDC did no respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
Teresa Strahlman, 61, said she’s immune-compromised due to medications she takes for lupus, an autoimmune disease. But the Maryland woman said she didn’t realize she was eligible for a fourth dose until reading a KHNFacebook: “I had no idea, and I have a million doctors,” Strahlman said. “No one has said anything to me.”
The CDC estimates that 2.7% of adults — or 7 million people — are immunocompromised, a group that includes people with medical conditions that dampen their immune response, as well as those taking immune-suppressing drugs because of organ transplants, cancer, or autoimmune diseases.
Some people with immune problems claim that being turned away by a pharmacy is particularly frustrating after all the sacrifices they made during the pandemic.
Linda Rushing, 74, has given up attending church services in person, although she’s deeply religious, because of a weakened immune system that leaves her prone to a variety of infections.
Rushing visited three pharmacies before she finally found someone to administer her fourth shot.
“It’s a tragedy to need help and not be able to get it,” said Rushing, of Rowlett, Texas, whose daughter and granddaughter are also immunocompromised. “I don’t want covid. I don’t want to give it to anybody, and I’m trying to do everything I can not to die from it.”
