Immunization/Vaccination

When your immune system is impaired (immunocompromised), you're at risk of infection. Your risk of serious illness or even death is much greater than a healthy person's. Your immune system can't as easily recognize and fight off bacteria, viruses or other germs the way a healthy immune system can.

That means you have to take extra precautions. Among the most important are getting the immunizations you need at the appropriate times. Know which immunizations pose a threat and which can help protect you.

Beware of live vaccines

Vaccines can partially compensate for an impaired immune system. Which vaccines are recommended if you have a weakened immune system depends on your particular condition.

Most vaccines contain weakened or killed microbes — such as viruses or bacteria — or parts of microbes. Other vaccines use inactivated toxins. Your doctor may avoid giving you live viral vaccines, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or chickenpox (varicella) vaccines, because the live viruses may cause complications if you're immunocompromised. One exception is your doctor may recommend the measles vaccine if you're HIV-positive, depending on the stage of your illness.

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Vaccines for immunocompromised adults

Protection not absolute, but still valuable

Unfortunately, vaccinations can't completely make up for an impaired immune system. Consider the case of the influenza vaccine.

"When the average healthy person receives the influenza vaccine, he or she is about 70 percent to 90 percent protected against influenza," explains Gregory Poland, M.D., chairman of the Vaccine Research Group at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. "An elderly immunocompromised person might be only 30 percent to 40 percent protected."

"However, if we don't give them the vaccine, it's zero protection. So it does offer something, but it's not quite the same level of protection that you would normally demand of a vaccine," says Dr. Poland.

What to do if you can't get vaccinated?

If your immune system prevents you from getting all the vaccinations you'd like, you can still protect your health. For starters, be sure to get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods and stay physically active.

You can further protect your health if you:
  • Avoid crowds or wear a mask to prevent respiratory infection.
  • Wash your hands well and often.
  • Avoid putting your fingers into your mouth or eyes.
  • Consider asking close contacts, for instance family members or caregivers, to be vaccinated for influenza, MMR and chickenpox if they aren't already immune.
  • Contact your doctor promptly if you develop a fever or any unusual symptoms that might indicate an infection.
  • Check on additional vaccines if you plan to travel to another country.
  • Wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a wallet card stating that you're immunocompromised.
Taking advantage of available vaccines and implementing other preventive measures add a secondary line of defense against infectious disease — and can be lifesaving if you're living with a weakened immune system.