Yes, according to the CDC, patients should be offered the vaccine even if they have a prior history of COVID-19, with or without symptoms. Data from clinical trials suggest that vaccination is safe and likely efficacious in these people. Patients will need to wait at least 10 days after diagnosis and be symptom free and out of quarantine before receiving the vaccine. Current evidence suggests that people who have had COVID-19 may be protected for up to 90 days after their initial infection, so they may decide to wait until after this period, if desired.
Immunocompromised individuals may receive COVID-19 vaccination if they have no contraindications to vaccination. However, before signing up for the vaccine, they should consult their specialist to learn more about the safety and effectiveness in immunocompromised populations, as well as the potential for reduced immune response and any impacts the vaccine may have on their current medications. These patients must also continue to carefully follow all current guidance to protect themselves against COVID-19.
Currently, there are no data on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in people who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma as part of COVID-19 treatment. However, based on the estimated half-life of such therapies and evidence suggesting that reinfection is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection, as a precautionary measure until additional information becomes available, there should be at least a 90 day waiting period after treatment before being vaccinated In addition, patients who have already received their first dose of the vaccine and who then received passive antibody therapy should delay their second dose until 90 days after the antibody therapy.
Yes, COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing. This includes coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines on the same day, as well as coadministration within 14 days.
COVID-19 vaccines were previously recommended to be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines. This was out of an abundance of caution and not due to any known safety or immunogenicity concerns. However, substantial data have now been collected regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized by FDA for use under EUA. Although data are not available for COVID-19 vaccines administered simultaneously with other vaccines, extensive experience with non-COVID-19 vaccines has demonstrated that immunogenicity and adverse event profiles are generally similar when vaccines are administered simultaneously as when they are administered alone.
It is unknown whether reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccine is increased with coadministration, including with other vaccines known to be more reactogenic, such as adjuvanted vaccines or live vaccines. When deciding whether to coadminister another vaccine(s) with COVID-19 vaccines, providers should consider whether the patient is behind or at risk of becoming behind on recommended vaccines, their risk of vaccine-preventable disease (e.g., during an outbreak or occupational exposures), and the reactogenicity profile of the vaccines.
Because clinical trials didn’t include pregnant patients, there is no conclusive evidence related to vaccine safety and efficacy during pregnancy. However, pregnant patients are at higher risk of severe disease and worse outcomes from COVID-19 than non-pregnant peers and therefore would benefit from protection from the virus. Based on available information, expert organizations including the American College for Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Michigan Medicine’s Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital strongly recommend that pregnant and nursing patients have access to the vaccine. They also clarify that it is not necessary to delay pregnancy after completing both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC also recommends that pregnant women take into account their personal risk of contracting COVID-19 based on their occupation or other activities, the risk of COVID-19 to the mother and the pregnancy, efficacy of the vaccine, and known side effects of the vaccine when deciding whether to be vaccinated. We advise patients to discuss the potential benefits and unknown risks specific to their individual situation with their healthcare provider.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine does not recommend stopping breastfeeding for people who get the COVID-19 vaccine.
You may experience sore/enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit and neck after a COVID-19 vaccination. Although this is considered a normal reaction, it can show up on a mammogram. Therefore, if you are due for a routine screening mammogram, we recommend scheduling your mammogram before your first dose or 4-6 weeks after your second dose of the COVID vaccine. If you get offered a vaccine appointment, we recommend that you get the vaccine and then reschedule your mammogram if needed. View mammogram scheduling phone numbers.
There is no deferral time for eligible blood donors who are vaccinated with an inactivated or RNA based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Moderna or Pfizer.
Eligible blood donors who are vaccinated with a replication defective virus COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca or Janssen/J&J must wait two weeks before giving blood.
Eligible blood donors who do not know what type of COVID-19 vaccine they received must wait four weeks before giving blood.
Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are not eligible to donate convalescent plasma.
For more information please refer to the Red Cross's Coronavirus and Blood Donation page.
