COVID Vaccines in the Immunocompromised

In this video, Niraj Patel, MD, chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force and chief of the division of infectious disease and immunology at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, discusses:

• how he approaches discussions about COVID-19 vaccination with immunocompromised patients, including that vaccinations “are the No. 1 way to prevent severe hospitalizations and death” from COVID-19 infection;
• concerns immunocompromised patients have expressed, including conversations about “staying healthy,” and the importance of vaccination to help protect these patients, who are already at increased risk from COVID-19 infection;
• addressing vaccine hesitancy in immunocompromised patients and why clinicians need to listen, be empathetic, and understand patient concerns in order to “move the needle from vaccine hesitancy to vaccine acceptance”;
• how views of the COVID-19 vaccines have evolved from “eagerness” when they were initially approved to some feeling “vaccine fatigue” as the recommendations regarding boosters and vaccination schedule have changed over time, and the importance of providers remaining “vigilant” and “proactive” to get patients vaccinated for COVID-19;
• resources available to providers and patients to help them keep up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for all populations, including ACAAI guidance;
  existing recommendations regarding the timing of biologic therapies and other immunosuppressive medications with COVID-19 vaccination, and the need for more data to inform additional guidance; and
• how “the No. 1 trusted source to the patient with regards to vaccines is still the health care provider,” and the importance of explaining the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to patients.