Question
Can I use the COVID vaccine if I have immune suppression from HIV or cancer treatment?
22 December 2020. Related: All topics, COVID-19.
Answer
Yes, the vaccine is still recommended if you are HIV positive or if you have cancer. This is because of the high risk from COVID-19.
Although the leaflet that comes with the Pfizer vaccine includes talking to your doctor first if you have a reduced immune system, this is not related to a safety concern with the vaccine. It is only because the protection from the vaccine might not be as strong.
This means that even after both doses of the vaccine, it might still be important to be careful. For example, if the pandemic is still at a high level, by wearing a mask and social distancing. But this is similar to advice to the general population.
As more people are vaccinated, researchers will look at responses in people who were not widely included in studies. It is worth being cautious until we have these results. They might also find that responses are just as strong in people living with HIV or cancer.
This is one of more than 65 questions about COVID vaccines. It was produced by and for people living with HIV.
Q&A on COVID vaccines: are they safe and effective?
https://i-base.info/qa/16330
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