CDC Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Immunocompromised

On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Guidance for Fully Vaccinated people to include recommendations for those in the same household as immunocompromised people, including those with blood cancer.  The updated language includes the following:

Wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated. People who are at increased risk for severe disease include older adults and those who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, overweight or obesity, and heart conditions.

On July 16, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People to include clarification for immunocompromised people, including those with blood cancer.  The updated language includes the following:

Data suggest immune response to COVID-19 vaccination might be reduced in some immunocompromised people including, but not limited to, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer, people with hematologic cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, people receiving stem cells or organ transplants, people receiving hemodialysis, and people using certain medications that might blunt the immune response to vaccination (e.g.,  mycophenolate, rituximab, azathioprine, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors).

People who are immunocompromised should be counseled about the potential for reduced immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines and the need to continue to follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they don’t live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. Close contacts of immunocompromised people should also be encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help protect these people.

The CDC also updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States to incorporate the updates from its Guidance.

Resources:

Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates and FAQs 
COVID-19 Learning Center