What Does It Mean When a Patient Is Immunosuppressed?

Listen to pronunciation. (IH-myoo-noh-suh-PREST) Having a weakened immune system. People who are immunosuppressed have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders.

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.