AIDS & Covid-19 Vaccines

 

How does covid vaccine (or any vaccine) work in people suffering from AIDS since the immune system itself is compromised?

 

Jeff Diver

·

6h ago

retired reference assistant at Cornell University Library

 

[ Photo by Markus Spiskeon Unsplash; modified by author ]

Vineeth,

Exactly what’s going to happen will vary according to the stage of the disease and the medications being administered to control it.

Here’s an idyllic description of how the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are supposed to work from the CDC:

“COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the “spike protein.” The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.

“COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are given in the upper arm muscle. Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the immune cells, the cells use them to make the protein piece. After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them.

“Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies, like what happens in natural infection against COVID-19.

At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain this protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.”[1]

Generally speaking, it is thought that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be safe for AIDS patients[2] , but you should check with your doctor before being vaccinated. Here’s the CDC page on AIDS and Covid vaccine safety:[3]

If you are following CDC safety guidelines for Covid-19 prevention, not partying or attending out-of-household gatherings, you might have a little time to see what happens to others before you get vaccinated yourself, however, because AIDS is one of those “underlying conditions,”[4] you are in the meantime at grave risk of getting severe Covid-19.[5]

Here’s what the International AIDS Society thinks you need to know:[6]

The state of the science is new. Studies have not been conclusive one way or the other and how your individual body will react to the vaccine is unknown. However, the consequences of getting Covid-19 are known and are gruesome for those who already have AIDS.

“Pfizer enrolled some HIV-positive volunteers with stable infections in its Phase 2/3 clinical trial, but there are not enough data to date to do an analysis of this population.

“The CDC said people with HIV can be vaccinated, but should be counseled that the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in immunocompromised people is still unclear and they should continue to take other measures to protect themselves against infection.”[7]

-Jeff

Footnotes

[1] COVID-19 and Your Health

[2] The First COVID-19 Vaccine Is Here. Is It Safe for People With HIV?[3] COVID-19 and HIV[4] COVID-19 and Your Health[5] Coronavirus (COVID-19) and People with HIV[6] COVID-19 and HIV[7] A guide to who can safely get the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine