Aquatics FAQs
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
COVID-19 Homepage
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised People
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. Primary immunodeficiency is caused by genetic defects that can be inherited. Prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines can lead to secondary or acquired immunodeficiency.
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 if they are 5 years and older as soon as possible.
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.
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
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional primary shot is appropriate for them.
Scheduling Your Additional Primary Shot
If you need help scheduling your additional primary shot, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your additional primary dose in a location different from where you received your previous shot, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.
What to Expect during and after Your Additional Primary Shot Appointment
- Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your additional primary shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your additional primary dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
- You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.
- Use v-safe to tell CDC about any side effects. If you enter your additional primary shot in your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins.