Can taking immunosuppressants increase my chances of getting COVID-19?
What does it mean to be immunocompromised?
Being immunocompromised means having a weakened immune system, and many diseases and medications can cause this. If you're immunocompromised, you may be at higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. Immunocompromised people can get the COVID-19 vaccine, but it may not be as effective in some people.
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a number of professional societies, endorse SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for the immunocompromised population. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines also recommend a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for severely immunocompromised patients.
Can immunosuppressive drugs increase the risk of serious COVID-19 infection?
Are people with autoimmune diseases considered high risk for COVID-19?
Researchers have reported higher rates of severe COVID-19 and death in people with autoimmune disease than in the general population. It is unclear whether this is attributable to the autoimmune disease, the immunosuppressive medications taken to treat it, or both.
Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have an autoimmune disease?
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying condition?
Which immunocompromised people can get their 2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster?
People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can choose to receive a 2nd booster (5th dose) of an mRNA vaccine at least 4 months after their first booster. Teens ages 12–17 years may only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster.
Are you at risk of experiencing an autoimmune disease flare-up from COVID-19 vaccine?
Which groups of people are at increased risks of severe illness from COVID-19?
What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?
Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) worsen the course of disease for people with COVID-19?
CDC is currently not aware of scientific evidence establishing a link between NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and worsening of COVID‐19.
FDA, the European Medicines Agency, the World Health Organization, and CDC are continuing to monitor the situation and will review new information on the effects of NSAIDs and COVID-19 disease as it becomes available.
Patients Taking Corticosteroids
Patients on Immune-Suppressing Or Immune-Modulating Therapy
- The literature suggests that patients on immune-suppressing therapies may not actually be at increased risk for severe respiratory disease with COVID-19. Unlike other viral agents such as adenovirus, rhinovirus, norovirus, and influenza, coronavirus has not been shown to cause more severe disease in immunosuppressed patients. This is because the pa...
Quarantining Recommendations
- The CDC has delineated a test-based strategy for discontinuing home isolation for immunocompromised patients with COVID-19. They recommend that these patients maintain isolation until: 1. Resolution of fever, without the use of antipyretics; 2. Improvement in respiratory symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath; and 3. Negative results of an FDA Emergen…
Summary
- While knowledge about COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients is evolving and there is still much unknown, the CDC currently recommends that immunocompromised patients undergo similar evaluation and treatment compared to nonimmunocompromised patients. However, there should be higher suspicion for complications, and closer follow-up care is a plausible approach. …