The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a great risk to those with weakened immune systems, including both the immunocompromised and the elderly. While shielding tactics, social distancing, and other restrictions have attempted to keep immunocompromised people safe, as mass vaccination programs gain more and more traction, many governments are beginning to remove these measures.
These vaccines have shown strong efficacy in immunocompetent individuals, with those approved in the EU showing between 70-90% protections following both doses. Unfortunately, vaccine trials rarely include immunocompromised people – both because many of them are incapable of receiving vaccines and the inherently increased risk in testing vaccines on those with weakened immune systems.
