Immunizations - Introduction

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Vaccination Recommendations for People with Compromised Immune Systems

In general, vaccines are not completely effective for patients whose immune systems are compromised by disease or medications. Often, such patients are given immune globulin if they are exposed to infection. It may take 3 months to 1 year before a person who has stopped taking immunosuppressant drugs regains the full ability to be successfully immunized against disease.

Live-virus vaccines are not usually given to people whose immune system has been compromised by illness or by the use of medications.

People who should not get live-virus vaccinations include:

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• Persons who have immune deficiency diseases (such as HIV or AIDS).
• Patients with active leukemia or lymphoma.
• Patients who are receiving treatments that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, alkylating drugs, antimetabolites, or radiation. (There are important exceptions, however, which are noted in the discussion of individual vaccinations below.) Short-term corticosteroids (given for less than 2 weeks) should not affect any live-virus vaccination. Patients who need vaccinations and who take long-term or high-dose topical steroids should check with their physicians.