Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised
Updated Oct. 3, 2023
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COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have been updated as of October 3, 2023. The content on this page is no longer current and will be updated to align with the new recommendations. Learn more.

What You Need to Know

Recommendations For People Aged 6 Months and Older Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

People Who Have Not Had Any Previous COVID-19 Vaccines (Not vaccinated)

People aged 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and not vaccinated should get 3 doses of the same brand of updated COVID-19 vaccine. They also may be able to get additional doses.

Read more: COVID-19 vaccination schedule for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

People Who Got Previous COVID-19 Vaccines

People aged 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and got COVID-19 vaccines before September 12, 2023 should get 1 or 2 doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine, depending on your age and the number of doses you got previously.

Pfizer-BioNTech

People Aged 6 Months and Older
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Overview

Moderna

People Aged 6 Months and Older
Moderna Vaccine Overview

Novavax

People Aged 12 Years and Older
Novavax Vaccine Overview

Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen

People Aged 18 Years and Older

J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available for use in the United States as of May 6, 2023.

J&J/Janssen Vaccine Overview

Recommendation For People Who May Want Another COVID-19 Vaccine Option

People Who May Get an Additional Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

People aged 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 or more months after the last recommended COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider.

COVID-19 Vaccines: 2023-2024 Updated, (Bivalent), and Original

2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines

As of September 12, 2023, the updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were recommended by CDC for use in the United States.

The 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines more closely target the XBB lineage of the Omicron variant. We anticipate the updated vaccines will be better at fighting currently circulating variants.

Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization (EUA) in individuals aged 12 and older.

2022 –2023 bivalent vaccines

As of September 11, 2023, the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are no longer in the United States.

The 2022–2023 bivalent vaccines were designed to protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, had developed bivalent COVID-19 vaccines.

Original vaccines

As of April 18, 2023, the original Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are no longer available for use in the United States.

As of May 6, 2023, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available for use in the United States.

Previous COVID-19 vaccines were called “original” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19.

Who Is Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised?

Some people are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) due to a medical condition or because they received medications or treatments that suppress the immune system. You can self-attest to your moderately or severely immunocompromised status, which means you do not need any documentation of your status to receive COVID-19 vaccines you might be eligible to receive.

Getting Vaccines If You Recently Had or Currently Have COVID-19

If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months.

Reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection. However, certain factors could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later, such as:

People Who Were Vaccinated Outside of the United States

Learn more about the recommendations for people vaccinated outside of the United States.

For Healthcare and Public Health Professionals