Question
Is it okay for HIV positive people to have a COVID-19 vaccination?
28 November 2020. Related: All topics, COVID-19.
Hi
Are there any concerns with HIV+ people receiving a COVID-19 vaccination offered in the UK?
I am an NHS worker so may be offered a vaccination soon, possibly among the first wave of vaccinations. My CD4 count is good, and I have already caught COVID and had a positive antibody test for this.
Thanks.
Answer
Hi
Great questions – and great that you might be lucky enough use the vaccine early.
There is no reason why the vaccines with be any different in HIV positive vs HIV negative people – especially if you are on ART and have a good CD4 count.
All three vaccines that have reported early results have been highly effective – and much better than first hoped. They have also have very good safely results and will hopefully become much more widely available soon.
Even you were not on ART or if you had a low CD4 count, a vaccine would still be widely recommended.
Even though you caught coronavirus once and had a good response, there are cases of second infections where the outcomes are not as good. The protection from the vaccine will be much safer than the risk of catching coronavirus again.
Four cases of reinfection are reported here:
https://i-base.info/htb/39136
Safety information is already available from tens of thousands of people from each vaccine – and this will steadily increase during the next weeks and months.
So far most reactions are similar to the annual flu vaccinations: mild irritation at the injection site or feeling more tired for a day or two afterwards.
Also, each study has included people living with HIV – even though differences are not expected. So additional results will become available.
Finally, if you are still worried, this is an easy thing to ask your HIV doctor or you HIV clinic.
Thank you also for continuing to work in front-line services, to make sure the NHS still runs during this difficult time.
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