Amid COVID Surge, Some Forsyth County Residents Seek Out Third Vaccine Doses

With COVID-19 cases surging, some fully vaccinated Forsyth County residents are seeking out a third shot. 

County Public Health Director Joshua Swift says the health department is following current federal guidance and not administering any extra doses. 

“Some people ask for it. It's not a huge amount. But we've told them that we're not able to do that. But I do see that coming. I don't have a timetable yet. But I can see where that will be coming because you have people, especially people that are immune compromised, that are at greater risk,” he says. 

Media outlets report that the Food and Drug Administration is considering authorizing extra shots for immunocompromised people in the coming weeks. 

Third doses of the Pfizer vaccine are already being offered in Israel. Germany has also announced plans to offer boosters shots. 

Swift says for now, the county is focused on convincing the unvaccinated to come in for their first shots. Cash card incentives have helped with that – he says first dose vaccinations rose by 250% after they started offering them.