Español

Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

What to know

  • COVID-19 vaccines help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
  • Immunocompromised people are at higher risk of severe illness, which is why vaccination is especially important for this group.
  • People ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get at least 2 doses of the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months apart.*
  • Vaccine recommendations vary depending on age and vaccination history. Check below to find specific recommendations for you or your child.
  • People with immunocompromising conditions are eligible for COVID-19 treatment and should seek care if they get sick, regardless of their vaccination status.

Who is moderately or severely immunocompromised?

You can be immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) because of a medical condition or if you received medications or treatments that suppress your immune system.

You can self-confirm if you are moderately or severely immunocompromised. This means you do NOT need documentation to receive a COVID-129 vaccination you are eligible for.

Vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Certain vaccine brands are recommended for specific age groups. Learn more.

Initial COVID-19 vaccination series
‎

If you have never had a COVID-19 vaccine, you start with an initial multi-dose series, given one time. The number of doses depends on your age and the vaccine brand you get.

Already completed initial series

  • Children ages 6 months–4 years: Get 2 doses of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine from the same brand (either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech, depending on what they received for their initial series) spaced 6 months apart.*
  • Children ages 5–11 years: Get 2 doses of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine from either brand (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) spaced 6 months apart.*
  • People ages 12 years and older: Get 2 doses of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine from any brand (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax) spaced 6 months apart.*

Never received a COVID-19 vaccine

  • Children ages 6 months–4 years: Get initial series of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine from the same brand (either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech), followed by 1 dose from the same brand 6 months later.*
  • Children ages 5–11 years: Get initial series of 2024–2025 vaccines from the same brand, followed by 1 dose from either brand (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) 6 months later.*
  • People ages 12 years and older: Get initial series of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines from the same brand (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax), followed by 1 dose from any brand 6 months later.*

Started but did not complete initial series

  • Children ages 6 months–4 years: Complete their initial series with the same vaccine brand they started with (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech). Then receive 1 more dose of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine from the same brand 6 months later.*
  • Children ages 5–11 years: Complete their initial series with the same vaccine brand they started with. Then receive 1 more dose of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine from either brand (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) 6 months later.*
  • People ages 12 years and older: Complete the initial series with the same vaccine brand they started with. Then receive 1 more dose of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine from any vaccine brand (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax) 6 months later.*

Note: For all age groups, it is recommended to use the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine doses for the initial series. In some situations, a COVID-19 vaccine from a different brand may be used. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

*While it is the recommended to get 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine doses 6 months apart, the minimum time is 2 months apart, which allows flexibility to get the second dose prior to typical COVID-19 surges, travel, life events, and healthcare visits.

Getting additional doses

After talking with a healthcare provider, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get more doses (in addition to the ones described above) at least 2 months after their last dose of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. For children ages 6 months–4 years, these doses should be the same vaccine brand.

Get more details about these recommendations.

People who recently had COVID-19

  • If you recently had COVID-19, you may delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine for 3 months from either the date your symptoms started or, if you didn't have symptoms, the date you received a positive test.
  • The risk of getting COVID-19 is less likely in the weeks to months following a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Certain factors could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later, such as:
Keep Reading: COVID-19 Vaccine Basics
Print
Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division