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COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised. CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This additional dose is intended to improve the response of people who are immunocompromised to their initial vaccine series.

Although CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time, HHS has announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall

COVID-19 Prevention in Schools

As a parent or caregiver, you can and should learn more about how your school is using the CDC guidance to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Some questions you can ask your school to learn more about their COVID-19 precautions include:

1. What prevention strategies are you currently using at school?
2. How and when are you updating your protocols for COVID-19?
3. Will you offer COVID-19 vaccination at the school?
4. Are you requiring teachers, staff, or students ages 12 and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
5. Will you be providing screening testing regularly?

It is also extremely important right now to teach and reinforce healthy behaviors for your children. Talk to them about the importance of masking, distancing, and frequent handwashing so that they can make choices that help keep them safer at school. 

Types of Masks and Respirators

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approves many types of filtering facepiece respirators. The most widely available are N95, but other types (N99, N100, P95, P99, P100, R95, R99, and R100) offer the same or better protection as an N95. When supplies are available, individuals may choose to use a basic disposable N95 respirator for personal use, instead of a mask, in some situations. CDC recommends that special N95 respirators labeled as “surgical” or “medical” should be prioritized for healthcare providers.

NIOSH and OSHA have developed a video demonstrating how to perform a user seal check and how to properly put on and take off a respirator. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

The United States recently surpassed 40 million total COVID-19 cases. Some people experience post-COVID conditions or longer-term health conditions that can last weeks, even months. COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19. Get vaccinated as soon as you can. Check out the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

September 14, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 41,001,157 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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School Testing for COVID-19

As schools go back to in-person learning, many offer free, regular COVID-19 testing for students and staff.

Regular testing, along with COVID-19 vaccination, helps protect students, staff, family members, and others who are not currently vaccinated against COVID-19 or are at risk for getting seriously sick from COVID-19. Testing programs help keep students in the classroom and allow them to take part in activities at school they love.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

COVID-19 vaccines are working very well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely spreading Delta variant. However, with the Delta variant, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. For this reason, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for a booster shot so vaccinated people maintain protection over the coming months.

The goal is for people to start receiving a COVID-19 booster shot beginning in the fall, with individuals being eligible starting 8 months after they received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). This is subject to authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Daily Activities

If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume many of the activities you did before the pandemic. Even if you are fully vaccinated, you can become infected with the Delta variant and you can spread the virus to others. To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission wear a mask indoors in public.

If you are not fully vaccinated, continue to take steps to protect yourself:

• Get vaccinated.
• Wear a mask.
• Stay 6 feet away from others.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

The Delta variant is more contagious than previous strains – it may cause more than 2x as many infections. Vaccines protect you from hospitalization, severe infections, and death

Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science

CDC released updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if fully vaccinated.

This new guidance is in response to a rapid and alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations around the country, reversing a steady decline since January 2021.

New data has also emerged showing that the Delta variant is more infectious and spreads more easily than other variants, even among some vaccinated individuals.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved in the United States are safe and still highly effective at reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Some immunocompromised people don’t always reach the same level of immunity as other vaccinated people. Immunocompromised people who received a two-dose vaccine may benefit from an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine to help them build more protection. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

August 30, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 38,852,582 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Studies indicate some immunocompromised people don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do.

CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.

The Delta variant is more contagious than previous strains – it may cause more than 2x as many infections. Vaccines protect you from hospitalization, severe infections, and death

Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science

The Delta variant is more than 2x as contagious as previous variants. Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons.

Although breakthrough infections happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can transmit it to others. CDC is continuing to assess data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit.

The greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract and, therefore, transmit the virus.

COVID-19 Vaccines Work

COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of COVID-19 and its potentially severe complications. While COVID-19 vaccines are working well, some people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will still get sick, because no vaccines are 100% effective. These are called vaccine breakthrough cases. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to provide protection against severe illness and hospitalization among people of all ages eligible to receive them. This includes people 65 years and older who are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. 

Families and COVID-19

As more people are getting vaccinated and resuming activities they did before the pandemic, parents and caregivers are making hard decisions on how to protect their families. Everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. People who are not fully vaccinated and children under 12 years who are not able to get a COVID-19 vaccine should continue taking steps to prevent getting sick.

To maximize protection from COVID-19, and in particular, the Delta variant, and prevent possibly spreading it to others, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Severe cases of COVID-19 among children are less common than in older age groups, but pediatric COVID-19 cases and the number of children admitted to hospitals are going up. 

Although vaccination rates among adolescents are rising, children below 12 years old are still not eligible. As states and counties get ready to send students back to school, it’s important for all eligible young people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

August 16, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 36,720,973 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated

If you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in many of the activities that you did before the pandemic. To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.

If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive. 

The Delta Variant: What You Should Know

Delta caused over 75% of recent COVID-19 cases in the United States- according to estimates-and will likely cause more. Don’t let Delta and other variants slow our progress in the fight against COVID-19. CDC’s new video, The Delta Variant: What You Should Know, provides information on the Delta variant and what you can do to help slow the spread. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are increasing in nearly all states, fueled by the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. The biggest increases in cases are happening in places with low vaccination rates and among unvaccinated people. Vaccines help protect people from getting COVID-19. They also protect vaccinated people who become infected from getting severely ill and reduce their risk of hospitalization and death. Read more about COVID-19 trends, variants, and vaccination in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Vaccine Equity

Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19. CDC is working with partners to advance vaccine equity and communicate with the public about what you can do to promote vaccine equity in your community. CDC’s new webpage dedicated to COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups highlights the critical work being done to reach COVID-19 vaccine equity, which we will achieve when everyone has fair and just access to these vaccines. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

August 2, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 34,972,532 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Families with Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Members

Some family members may still need to take steps to protect themselves against COVID-19, such as children too young to get vaccinated or people with weakened immune systems. Any family member who is not fully vaccinated should keep taking steps to protect themselves and others. In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places. In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated. People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may NOT be protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. 

When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19

The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home for 14 days if you think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Check your local health department’s website for information about options in your area to possibly shorten this quarantine period. Someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no symptoms of COVID-19 does NOT need to stay home. Also, anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home.

• Someone who has COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and
• Has recovered and
• Remains without COVID-19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)

People who are severely ill with COVID-19 might need to stay home longer than 10 days and up to 20 days after symptoms first appeared. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

The conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play can affect their chances of getting sick and recovering. Long-standing systemic health and social inequities, like access to health care and educational and job opportunities, have put some rural residents at increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Vaccination differences between urban and rural areas could hinder efforts to reduce COVID-19 cases and deaths nationally. Read more in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

July 19, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 33,896,296 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Variants for the Virus that Causes COVID-19

Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. If you think about a virus like a tree growing and branching out, each branch on the tree is slightly different than the others. CDC is monitoring multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, including four in the United States that seem to spread more easily than others. So far, studies suggest that current authorized vaccines work on these variants. Everyone ages 12 and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. 

Preparing for Your COVID-19 Vaccination

Vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal. You should get a COVID-19 vaccine regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. To find a COVID vaccine, search vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you in the United States. 

Your Guide to Masks

If you are age 2 or older and not fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask in indoor public places. In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

The United States has made tremendous progress in the fight against COVID-19. But with the emergence and spread of variants, more needs to be done to reach freedom from the virus. COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against all known variants and will help protect you and the people you love. Read more about the current state of the pandemic in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

July 6, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 33,545,316 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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National Vaccine Month of Action

Through July 4, the We Can Do This Campaign is mobilizing national organizations, community-based partners, influencers, celebrities, athletes, and thousands of volunteers across the nation to empower their communities and get more people vaccinated.

How You Can Help

• Host In-Person or Virtual Events
• Promote ways to get vaccinated
• Join the COVID-19 Community Corps

Frequently Asked Questions from Operators or Managers of Pools, Beaches, Waterparks, and other Aquatic Venues

Aquatic venues are popular spots during the summers. Operators have asked how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when visitors and staff may not be fully vaccinated. They’ve also asked how to encourage mask use and social distancing, and how to improve ventilation. 

COVID-19 Data Tracker

Did you know? CDC’s COVID Data Tracker allows you to view trends in hospitalizations and disease severity among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Explore trends broken down by age group, sex, ICU admissions, and more. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

June 21, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 33,368,860 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone ages 12 and older. Learn more about what you and your child or teen can do when you have been fully vaccinated. Children 12 and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Search vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you. 

Colleges, Universities and Higher Learning

Institutions of higher education can help slow the spread of COVID-19 by providing information about and offering COVID-19 vaccination, promoting vaccine trust and confidence, and making getting vaccinated easy and convenient. CDC has updated guidance for IHEs about COVID-19 vaccination and prevention strategies for IHEs, whether everyone is fully vaccinated or not. 

Myths and Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Accurate vaccine information is critical and can help stop common myths and rumors. It can be difficult to know which sources of information you can trust. Before considering vaccine information on the Internet, check that the information comes from a credible source and is updated on a regular basis. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Young people are less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than adults, but cases of severe disease have been documented in adolescents ages 12-17. Recent increases in COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates and the potential for severe disease in this age group reinforce the need for vaccination and other prevention strategies. Read more about adolescent COVID-19 trends and considerations for summer activities in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

June 7, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 33,193,680 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Types of Masks

If you’re unvaccinated, there are many types of masks you can use to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19. When choosing a mask, choose one that fits snugly. A cloth or disposable mask should be worn anytime you are indoors or outdoors with people who don’t live with you.

Some masks are designed and tested to ensure they perform at a consistent level to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These masks are labeled to tell you what standard they meet. 

Choosing Safer Activities

Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, find a vaccine. 

Playing Sports

If you’re unvaccinated and playing sports, stay home if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting on test results, are showing COVID-19 symptoms, or have had a close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19. Bring your own equipment, like gloves, head gear, helmets, water bottles, and bats, if possible, to limit sharing equipment. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other players when possible. Also,

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Clean or sanitize your hands before and after practices, games, and sharing equipment.
• Tell a coach or staff member if you don’t feel well.

Guidance for Operating Youth Camps

CDC recommends that everyone ages 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. CDC has updated guidance for all types of youth day and overnight camps that camp programs can use to help maintain healthy environments for both vaccinated and unvaccinated campers, lower the risk of COVID-19 in their programs, and prepare for when someone is sick with

COVID-19. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

COVID-19 cases and deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly a year. Many people put off medical care to stay safe from COVID-19. As you begin to resume activities you were doing before the pandemic, consider adding routine medical care back to your list of things to do.  Read more about COVID-19 trends and other considerations in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

June 1, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 33,093,238 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Key Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines

Everyone ages 12 and older is recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and the federal government is providing the vaccine for free to anyone living in the United States. You are not fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine. People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.  

Toolkit for Summer Camps

With summer approaching, CDC’s Toolkit for Summer Camps provides guidance and planning documents, posters, and other key resources to help camp administrators and parents navigate summer camp.  

Domestic Travel During COVID-19

Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

• Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip. Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
• If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth, avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not traveling with you.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Wearing a mask is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations are going down, and vaccination rates are climbing. These trends are encouraging. As summer approaches, consider how COVID-19 is spreading in your community when making travel plans and choosing activities. Read more about these trends in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

May 24, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 32,947,548 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.