Content From: HIV.gov•Updated: November 09, 2022•8 min read Show
TopicsHow Does COVID-19 Affect People with HIV?We are still learning about COVID-19 and how it affects people with HIV. Nearly half of people in the United States with diagnosed HIV are ages 50 and older. People with HIV also have higher rates of certain underlying health conditions. Older age and underlying medical conditions can make people more likely to get very sick if they get COVID-19. This is especially true for people with advanced HIV or people with HIV who are not on treatment. People at increased risk for severe illness, and those who live with or visit them, should take precautions (including getting vaccinated and wearing a well-fitting mask) to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Visit COVID-19 and HIV FAQs from CDC for the latest information.
COVID-19 Treatment. If you have possible symptoms of COVID-19, have had a positive test, or have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, talk to your health care provider to see if you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment or preventive medicine. You can also visit a Test to Treat location and, if eligible, receive a prescription from a provider. Don’t delay: COVID-19 treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective. But be aware: some COVID-19 treatments can interact with antiretroviral therapy (ART) used to treat HIV. If you have HIV, let your health care provider know before starting COVID-19 treatment. However, there are no known interactions between ART and the medicine used to prevent COVID-19 (Evusheld). For people without HIV, there is also no evidence that currently available medicine used to prevent or treat COVID-19 will interact with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. COVID-19 Vaccines and People with HIVGet vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older including people with HIV, regardless of their CD4 count or viral load. The number of vaccine doses you need depends on your age and the type of vaccine you receive. Additional primary shot. After completing the COVID-19 vaccine primary series, some people who have advanced HIV (including an AIDS diagnosis) or who have HIV and are not taking HIV treatment should get an additional primary shot. This additional primary shot is intended to improve a person’s immune response to their two-dose COVID-19 vaccine primary series. People who are eligible for this additional primary shot should receive this dose before they get a booster shot. CDC does not recommend an additional primary shot of the COVID-19 vaccine for people with HIV who are virally suppressed or who do not have advanced HIV. Talk to your health care provider to determine if getting an additional primary shot is right for you. Booster shots. Booster shots are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. CDC recommends that everyone, including people with HIV, get a booster shot when they are eligible. Use CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if you should get a booster, when to get a booster, and which booster you should get. Vaccine safety. COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with HIV. COVID-19 vaccines meet the Food and Drug Administration’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality and people with HIV were included in vaccine clinical trials. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines interfere with ART or with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV.Learn more about vaccine safety. If you have questions about getting COVID-19 vaccine and whether it is right for you, talk to your health care provider. Visit vaccines.gov or text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish to find COVID-19 vaccines near you. COVID-19 and HIV: Federal ResourcesBelow are resources about COVID-19 from agencies across the federal government for people with HIV and the health care providers and organizations who work with them.Information is regularly being updated as we learn more in this evolving situation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Indian Health Service (IHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
U.S. Department of State
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