Retail pharmacies offer third COVID vaccine to immunocompromised

Retail pharmacy corporations across the United States are beginning to offer a free third dose of the coronavirus vaccine to people who are immunocompromised. 

Participating companies include Publix, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Winn-Dixie. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday announced a recommendation that "individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems get an additional dose at least 28 days after receiving the second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines."

The third shot should be the same brand as the first two.

However, it is important to note the additional vaccine for the immunocompromised population is different from the booster shot. The booster shot is given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time, according to the CDC. 

The CDC does not recommend an additional vaccine or a booster for any other population, as of now. 

To find a local COVID-19 vaccine, visit vaccines.gov or a local pharmacy website.