The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new vaccine guidance for adults with underlying conditions.
According to the CDC, adults with underlying conditions that put them at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 can get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Both vaccines use messenger RNA technology and include the genetic material of the virus. Dr. Steve Burdette, of Miami Valley Hospital, said that the vaccine will not give you COVID.
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“So somebody is not going to get COVID no matter what,” Dr. Burdette said. “No matter how bad your immune system, you will not get COVID from the vaccine.”
The CDC does indicate that those with weakened immune systems or autoimmune disorders might have a reduced immune response to the vaccines. They note that they limited safety data when if comes to both groups and the vaccines that have gotten emergency use authorization.
“With almost every therapeutic, it’s not really studied in patients with poor immune systems,” Dr. Burdette said.
Dr. Burdette says to follow the CDC’s guidance to make informed decisions about getting the vaccine.
“Patients with a lot of these conditions, their risk of complications from COVID is very significant,” said Dr. Burdette. “So with everything we do we need to weigh the risks and the benefits.”