Covid-19 is particularly dangerous for the immunocompromised

Early on in the pandemic, researchers learned that immunocompromised people infected with Covid-19 tend to have particularly severe and long-lasting infections. This leads to prolonged viral shedding, meaning that the period during which these infected people release the virus as they breathe, talk, and eat is much longer. Thus, they have a higher chance of transmitting the virus to others.

Long infections with poor immune responses are also ideal environments for the virus to evolve and adapt in ways that allow it to better infect people.

While immunocompromised people were not included in the initial Covid-19 vaccine trials to avoid putting them at risk, subsequent studies revealed that the authorized two-dose mRNA vaccine regimens do not stimulate as strong a defense against Covid-19 for immunocompromised people. In particular, organ transplant recipients seem to develop fewer Covid-19 antibodies after vaccination. That’s not surprising, given that the medicines used in transplantation intentionally hamper antibody development to prevent the immune system from rejecting the donated organs. But since then, pilot trials in organ transplant recipients have shown that an additional dose of vaccine can help boost immune response.

The best protection for everyone against Covid-19 is to have as many people vaccinated as soon as possible. In the interim, a third vaccine dose can safely and effectively decrease the likelihood of severe Covid-19 in immunocompromised people. And consistently wearing masks, regardless of vaccination status and whether or not you’re immunocompromised, can also significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.