CDC Releases Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People who are Immunocompromised

Having a weakened immune system can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system, ranging from inherited genetic conditions to immune-weakening medications such as corticosteroids.

The CDC has updated its guidance for people who are immunocompromised.  Summary of recent changes (updated February 11, 2022):

• New guidance to shorten the interval between completion of the mRNA vaccine primary series and the booster dose to at least 3 months (instead of 5 months)

• New guidance for those who received the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine primary series to receive an additional dose and a booster dose, for a total of 3 doses to be up to date

Primary Series Shots

People who are immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Everyone, including immunocompromised people, should receive a COVID-19 vaccine primary series as soon as possible if they are 5 years and older.

Additional Primary Shot and Booster Shot for Some Immunocompromised People

After completing the primary series, some moderately or severely immunocompromised people should get an additional primary shot.  The additional primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their vaccine primary series. It is different from a booster shot. The booster is administered after a person has completed their vaccine primary series to enhance or restore protection against COVID-19 which may have decreased over time.

Everyone 12 years and older, including immunocompromised people, should get a booster shot. If you are eligible for an additional primary shot, you should get this dose first before you get a booster shot.

Who Is Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised?

People are considered to be moderately or severely immunocompromised if they 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 your immune response

Guidance for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised: