Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

For Everyone

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.
  • CDC recommends an updated COVID-19 vaccine for people 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
  • 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-19 vaccination you are eligible for.

Vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

CDC recommends an updated COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

For more COVID-19 vaccine information for special situations:

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.

Getting additional doses

After talking with a healthcare provider, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get more doses at least 2 months after their last dose of an updated 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
About This Page
Published: July 16, 2024
Updated: June 11, 2025

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: March 8, 2024

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.