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Frequently Asked Questions for People who are Immunocompromised about the Updated 2023-2024 COVID Vaccine

Please review these COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the CDC for people who are immunocompromised. 

I have never been vaccinated for COVID and I am moderately/severely immunocompromised. What is recommended for me?

Everyone aged 6 months and older who is moderately or severely immunocompromised and not vaccinated for COVID in the past should get three doses of the same brand of updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine.

I am an immunocompromised adult and have had one or more doses of COVID vaccine in the past. What is recommended for me?

Adults who received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine before Sept. 12, 2023 should:

  • Get a first dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine
  • Get a second dose 3 weeks after the last dose
  • Get a third dose at least 8 weeks after the last dose

Please review these COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the CDC for people who are immunocompromised.

Why do I need more than one dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine?

If you are immunocompromised, you cannot fight infections and diseases as well as other people. In addition, your body’s ability to produce protective antibodies after being vaccinated may not be as strong. After more doses, you will have more antibodies and stronger protection.

Can I get a fourth dose?

Everyone aged 6 months and older who is moderately or severely immunocompromised may get an additional updated COVID-19 vaccine dose at least 8 weeks after the last recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or provider if you are moderately/severely immunocompromised and interested in receiving a fourth dose.

When I come for my vaccine appointment, can you tell me what COVID vaccines I received in the past and how many doses I need now?

Yes, we will access your vaccination record and advise you about what you need at this time. Remember that you must be a Henry Ford Health patient in order to receive the COVID vaccine at Henry Ford Health. You can also contact your doctor or provider before making a vaccination appointment.

How do I make an appointment for the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine?

If you are a Henry Ford Health patient, schedule an appointment using MyChart or call your primary care provider’s office. You can also ask your primary care provider for an updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine at an appointment for any other reason.

Can I “mix and match” vaccines and get different brands of the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine?

No, you should receive the same brand for all doses of the updated vaccine if you are immunocompromised. Henry Ford Health offers only the Pfizer vaccine.

Are recommendations the same for Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax?

Recommendations for immunocompromised people are different for the different brands of vaccines. Henry Ford Health offers only the Pfizer vaccine. Using the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine at our many primary care and pediatric centers simplifies ordering, storing, transporting and delivering the vaccine safely to our patients.

Can I get the Moderna or Novavax vaccine?

Yes, you can receive Moderna or Novavax at one of many convenient COVID vaccine sources. Henry Ford Health offers only the Pfizer vaccine. If you are immunocompromised and prefer Moderna or Novavax, review the CDC web pages for dosing recommendations for people who are immunocompromised, or talk to your doctor or provider.

Who is considered moderately/severely immunocompromised?

Some people have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or because they received medications or treatments that suppress the immune system. If you are not sure if you are immunocompromised, talk to your doctor or provider. Some medical conditions or treatments that may result in moderate to severe immunocompromise include but are not limited to:

  • Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
  • Hematologic malignancies associated with poor responses to COVID-19 vaccines regardless of current treatment status (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, acute leukemia)
  • Receipt of solid-organ transplant or an islet transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
  • Receipt of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppressive therapy)
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., common variable immunodeficiency disease, severe combined immunodeficiency, DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection (people with HIV and CD4 cell counts less than 200/mm3, history of an AIDS-defining illness without immune reconstitution, or clinical manifestations of symptomatic HIV)
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., 20 or more mg of prednisone or equivalent per day when administered for 2 or more weeks), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory

How does being immunocompromised affect me when it comes to COVID-19?

People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.

My child is moderately/severely immunocompromised. What are the recommendations for them?

For the updated 2023-2024 Pfizer vaccine, moderately/severely immunocompromised children should follow the schedule below, based on age and previous doses of vaccine (before the updated fall 2023-2024 vaccine). If you are unsure of the timing for the updated vaccine for your immunocompromised child, talk to your child’s doctor for guidance. Also see our FAQs on Kids and COVID vaccines.

Youth 12+ years old who are immunocompromised and never received a COVID vaccine:

  • Dose 1: At your first appointment
  • Dose 2: Three weeks after the first dose
  • Dose 3: Four weeks after the second dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Youth 12+ years old who are immunocompromised and received one dose of a COVID vaccine in the past:

  • Dose 1: Three weeks after the last dose
  • Dose 2: Four weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Youth 12+ years old who are immunocompromised and received two doses of a COVID vaccine in the past:

  • Dose 1: Three weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Youth 12+ years old who are immunocompromised and received three or more doses of a COVID vaccine in the past:

  • Dose 1: At least 8 weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Children 5 to 11 years old who are immunocompromised and never received a COVID vaccine

  • Dose 1: At your first appointment
  • Dose 2: Three weeks after the last dose
  • Dose 3: Four weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Children 5 to 11 years old who are immunocompromised and received one dose of a COVID vaccine in the past:

  • Dose 1: Three weeks after the last dose
  • Dose 2: About 4 weeks after last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Children 5 to 11 years old who are immunocompromised and received two doses of a COVID vaccine in the past:

  • Dose 1: Four weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Children 5 to 11 years old who are immunocompromised and received three or more doses of a COVID vaccine in the past:

  • Dose 1: At least eight weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Children ages 6 months through 4 years who are immunocompromised

If your child never received a COVID vaccine in the past, they will receive:

  • Dose 1: At your first appointment
  • Dose 2: Three weeks after last dose
  • Dose 3: At least 8 weeks after the last dose

If your child received one dose of Pfizer vaccine in the past, they will receive:

  • Dose 1: Three weeks or more after receiving their last shot
  • Dose 2: At least 8 weeks after the last dose

If your child received 2 doses of Pfizer vaccine before fall 2023, they will receive:

  • One dose, given at least 8 weeks after the last dose

If your child received 3 or more doses of Pfizer vaccine before fall 2023, they will receive:

  • One additional dose at least 8 weeks after the last dose
  • Follow recommendations from your child’s doctor for any additional doses

Where can people who are immunocompromised get more information about COVID-19 vaccines?

This CDC web page has detailed information about the COVID vaccines for people who are immunocompromised. You can also learn more about COVID and the vaccines from Henry Ford Health.

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