I've been seeing this a lot lately on Era, and as an immunocompromised person myself, I need to put my foot down regarding this. People will come into discussion threads regarding COVID 19 or the vaccine and they'll end up implying or outright stating that immunocompromised people can't receive the vaccine. It's so common that I've seen dozens upon dozens of posts regarding it over the past year.
However immunocompromised people, under most circumstances, can receive the vaccine. From the CDC:
Note the language used too: We don't get a booster shot, the third shot is part of our standard protection. Many of us don't generate that great of an antibody response to the vaccine, if we generate one at all. So we need that third shot to either be fully protected, or have some semblance of protection.
Additionally, if you look at this page, you'll see a number of medical conditions that are more likely to make a person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 to become severely ill. People with compromised immune systems often have one or more of these conditions. Which is all the more important for us to get the vaccine and get protected.
I have both primary and secondary immunodeficiency. I have low levels of specific Immunoglobin G subtypes, and I deal with multiple autoimmune diseases. I walk with a cane thanks to psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis, and eating things with gluten can potentially make me very sick. Additionally, I have a number of lung and sinus issues, including asthma, that could make it significantly worse if I became ill. I spent most of the first year of the pandemic locked away in my apartment, being forced to have everything delivered, medicines included, and when I did go out it was with a mask and with as much social distancing as I could muster.
The vaccines are the only reason I am now getting some semblance of a normal life back. I can finally go out again, and go to places indoors that used to be absolutely off limits. I've gotten to do activities with friends, and see my partner and family again. I know for a fact that the vaccines have protected me from dying from COVID too, because someone close to me got it not too long after I had my third shot. A miracle happened there, because I didn't catch it despite how much I was with them, and I was prepared for the worst when they told me I needed to get tested right away.
If you're immunocompromised, please work with your doctors to get the vaccine safely. They can help you sort out the best times to get the vaccine, and where to get it. It is very likely that you can receive it safely unless you are allergic to the ingredients, and your doctor can advise you what to do in the off-chance you can't receive it.
For everyone else, I'm begging you - please stop blanket saying that immunocompromised people can't get the vaccine. Most of us can get it, and those of us who can get it absolutely NEED to get it. Especially in the US, where COVID-19 restrictions have been significantly relaxed with little to no regards to our safety.
And to all of you who have gotten vaccinated and/or are still social distancing and wearing masks, thank you for doing so. I greatly appreciate it, and I imagine all of us who are immunocompromised appreciate it as well.
However immunocompromised people, under most circumstances, can receive the vaccine. From the CDC:
Note the language used too: We don't get a booster shot, the third shot is part of our standard protection. Many of us don't generate that great of an antibody response to the vaccine, if we generate one at all. So we need that third shot to either be fully protected, or have some semblance of protection.
Additionally, if you look at this page, you'll see a number of medical conditions that are more likely to make a person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 to become severely ill. People with compromised immune systems often have one or more of these conditions. Which is all the more important for us to get the vaccine and get protected.
I have both primary and secondary immunodeficiency. I have low levels of specific Immunoglobin G subtypes, and I deal with multiple autoimmune diseases. I walk with a cane thanks to psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis, and eating things with gluten can potentially make me very sick. Additionally, I have a number of lung and sinus issues, including asthma, that could make it significantly worse if I became ill. I spent most of the first year of the pandemic locked away in my apartment, being forced to have everything delivered, medicines included, and when I did go out it was with a mask and with as much social distancing as I could muster.
The vaccines are the only reason I am now getting some semblance of a normal life back. I can finally go out again, and go to places indoors that used to be absolutely off limits. I've gotten to do activities with friends, and see my partner and family again. I know for a fact that the vaccines have protected me from dying from COVID too, because someone close to me got it not too long after I had my third shot. A miracle happened there, because I didn't catch it despite how much I was with them, and I was prepared for the worst when they told me I needed to get tested right away.
If you're immunocompromised, please work with your doctors to get the vaccine safely. They can help you sort out the best times to get the vaccine, and where to get it. It is very likely that you can receive it safely unless you are allergic to the ingredients, and your doctor can advise you what to do in the off-chance you can't receive it.
For everyone else, I'm begging you - please stop blanket saying that immunocompromised people can't get the vaccine. Most of us can get it, and those of us who can get it absolutely NEED to get it. Especially in the US, where COVID-19 restrictions have been significantly relaxed with little to no regards to our safety.
And to all of you who have gotten vaccinated and/or are still social distancing and wearing masks, thank you for doing so. I greatly appreciate it, and I imagine all of us who are immunocompromised appreciate it as well.
