Are immunocompromised individuals more vulnerable to COVID-19?

People who are immunocompromised in a manner similar to those who have undergone solid organ transplantation have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases, and they are especially vulnerable to infections, including COVID-19. Can immunocompromised people get the COVID-19 vaccine?
People with immunocompromising conditions or people who take immunosuppressive medications or therapies are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. The currently FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are not live vaccines and therefore can be safely administered to immunocompromised people.

Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have an autoimmune disease?

The American College of Rheumatology COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance recommends that people with autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic disease (which includes lupus) get the vaccine unless they have an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine. Can taking immunosuppressants increase my chances of getting COVID-19?
And medicines called immunosuppressants may make you more likely to have serious complications from the virus, as can your autoimmune disorder itself

Can COVID-19 cause an autoimmune disease?

Widespread and long-term inflammation during severe COVID-19 may cause the immune system to produce antibodies to pieces of the virus it wouldn’t normally recognize. Some of those pieces might resemble human proteins enough to trigger the production of autoantibodies.

Who should not get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or an immediate allergic reaction, even if it was not severe, to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (such as polyethylene glycol), you should not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying condition?

People with underlying medical conditions can receive a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Learn more about vaccination considerations for people with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is an important consideration for adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions because they are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

What are some exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some people may be at risk for an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. This is referred to as a medical exemption. Some people may decline vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. This is referred to as a religious exemption.

Which group of children at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?

Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Are asthma patients at higher risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19?

People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19. Take steps to protect yourself.

Are obese people at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness?

Am I at risk for COVID-19 if I have rheumatoid arthritis?

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re more likely to get certain infections. That means you may have a higher chance of getting COVID-19. If you do get sick, your symptoms could be more serious than someone who doesn’t have RA.

What does it mean to be immunocompromised during COVID-19?

• Being immunocompromised means that your immune system is weakened, and you may be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease. • Many different health conditions and medications can cause you to be immunocompromised.

What are the common side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

The most commonly reported side effects were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever. Side effects typically started within two days of vaccination and resolved 1-2 day later.

Are people with chronic lung diseases at a higher risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19?

Chronic lung diseases can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Do steroids help reduce the effect of COVID-19?

The steroid medication dexamethasone has been proven to help people severely ill with COVID-19.

What are some of the lingering side effects of COVID-19?

A full year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the mind-boggling aftermath of the virus continues to confuse doctors and scientists. Particularly concerning for doctors and patients alike are lingering side effects, such as memory loss, reduced attention and an inability to think straight.

Can COVID-19 have lasting effects?

Some people who had severe illness with COVID-19 experience multiorgan effects or autoimmune conditions over a longer time with symptoms lasting weeks or months after COVID-19 illness. Multiorgan effects can affect most, if not all, body systems, including heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain functions.

Is it common to develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) after recovering from COVID-19?

While it is very rare, some people, mostly children, experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during or immediately after a COVID-19 infection. MIS is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed.

Who can receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in individuals 18 years of age and older.

Can you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are taking blood thinners?

As with all vaccines, any COVID-19 vaccine product may be given to these patients, if a physician familiar with the patient’s bleeding risk determines that the vaccine can be administered intramuscularly with reasonable safety.

Can the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine cause allergic reactions?

There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include: • Difficulty breathing • Swelling of your face and throat • A fast heartbeat • A bad rash all over your body • Dizziness and weakness

Is having a heart condition considered as high risk for COVID-19?

Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Can COVID-19 vaccines increase my blood pressure?

Answered by cardiologist and cardiovascular medicine expert Daniel Anderson, MD, PhD: So far, no data suggests that COVID-19 vaccines cause an increase in blood pressure. Remember that increased blood pressure after vaccination might not mean cause and effect.

What is the relationship between COVID-19 and COPD?

COPD puts you at higher risk to get seriously sick if you were to get infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are obese?

The Obesity Society strongly recommends that people with obesity get a COVID-19 vaccine. There is clear evidence that the effectiveness of the approved vaccines is similar in patients with or without obesity. All three FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are equally effective.

Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have lymphedema?

• If you have lymphedema, get the COVID-19 vaccine on the opposite arm or in the leg. • If you are at risk of lymphedema, get the COVID-19 vaccine on the opposite arm or in the leg.

Can I take the Pfizer vaccine, if I have severe allergies?

If you have a history of a serious reaction (such as anaphylaxis) to any Pfizer COVID vaccine ingredient, then you should not get the vaccine. However, allergies to things such as eggs are currently not listed as concerns for receiving the vaccine. To learn more about what is inside the Pfizer COVID vaccine visit Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (source – CDC) (1.28.20)