Who is immunocompromised?
In recent years, we heard a lot about protecting people with weakened immune systems, also known as immunocompromised, but what does that mean?? The term immunocompromised or immunosuppressed is an umbrella term for individuals with weakened immune systems or immune systems that are not functioning properly. As a result, they may get sick more often or more easily than their peers and, in some cases, can have severe reactions to what are typically considered mild infections.
Immunosuppression may be caused by a variety of medical conditions, medications, treatments or genetic factors, including:
- Diseases that destroy immune cells, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS
- Chronic conditions that attack the immune system, such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure
- Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or multiple sclerosis
- Medications, such as chemotherapy or biologics, which can reduce white blood cell production
- High doses of steroids taken by mouth for more than 2 weeks
- Primary immunodeficiency disorders or absence of the spleen which plays a key immune role
- Age, malnutrition or sleep deprivation
Many of these can affect adolescents as well as adults. If you are unsure if you are immunocompromised, ask your doctor about your individual risk factors.
Are vaccines safe for immunocompromised people?
Vaccination for immunocompromised people can be confusing, but let’s try to break it down. In general, it’s important for immunocompromised people to stay up to date on recommended vaccines, as they may be more vulnerable to the illnesses the vaccines prevent. However, some vaccines contain a small amount of a weakened version of the virus to trigger an immune response in the body. For some, this can cause an adverse reaction, so people with weakened immune systems, long-term health problems, or those who have had an organ transplant should talk to their health care provider.
The recommended adolescent vaccines — COVID-19, HPV, MenACWY, MenB and Tdap – are not made with a weakened version of the virus, which means they are generally safe and effective for adolescents with weakened immune systems. These vaccines play a valuable role in preventing some serious infections. For added protection, some immunocompromised teens may benefit from additional doses of certain vaccines to help their bodies boost immunity, but they should discuss this with their health care provider.1
I’m not immunocompromised, but a loved one is. What should I do?
Perhaps you have a friend who is battling cancer. Or you have a grandparent who had a transplant. Or maybe your next-door neighbor has lupus. Since some immunocompromised individuals may not be able to get all recommended vaccines, it’s important for everyone around them to be protected to reduce their likelihood of being exposed to an infection in the first place. This is called herd immunity, where enough people are immune to a disease that the infection can’t spread widely from one person to another. This lack of movement protects those who aren’t immunized or who may have weakened immune systems. Making sure you are fully vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect an immunocompromised friend or child from getting a severe infection.
Being immunocompromised yourself or having an immunocompromised person in your life adds a layer of complications to vaccines. Talk to your doctor about best practices to keep yourself and your community safe.
- “Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Jan. 2025, www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/immunocompromised-people.html.
