COVID-19 Vaccines for People at Increased Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19
Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for and can be administered to most people with underlying medical conditions.
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If you have questions about getting COVID-19 vaccine, you should talk to your healthcare providers for advice. Inform your vaccination provider about all your allergies and health conditions.
People with underlying medical conditions at increased risk from COVID-19
People aged 16 years and older who have underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19, should be among those offered COVID-19 vaccine first. CDC’s recommendations are based on those of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts.
The list of high-risk medical conditions that put people at increased risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness is updated routinely as new data become available.
Medical Conditions in Adults
This list is presented in alphabetical order and not in order of risk.
CDC completed an evidence review process for each medical condition on this list to ensure they met criteria for inclusion on this webpage.
We are learning more about COVID-19 every day, and this list may be updated as the science evolves.
Cancer
Having cancer can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Treatments for many types of cancer can weaken your body’s ability to fight off disease. At this time, based on available studies, having a history of cancer may increase your risk.
Get more information:
Cancer | CDC
American Cancer Society: What People with Cancer Should Know about Coronavirusexternal icon
Chronic kidney disease
Having chronic kidney disease of any stage can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Chronic kidney disease | CDC
National Kidney Foundation: Kidney disease and COVID-19external icon
Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
Chronic lung diseases can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. These diseases may include:
Asthma, if it’s moderate to severe
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Having damaged or scarred lung tissue such as interstitial lung disease (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
Cystic fibrosis, with or without lung or other solid organ transplant
Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
Get more information:
COPD | CDC
Asthma | CDC
American Lung Association: Controlling Chronic Lung Diseases Amid COVID-19 external icon
Dementia or other neurological conditions
Having neurological conditions, such as dementia, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Dementia | CDC
Alzheimer’s Association: COVID-19, Alzheimer’s and Dementia external icon
Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
Having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Diabetes | CDC
American Diabetes Association: How COVID-19 Impacts People with Diabetesexternal icon
Down syndrome
Having Down syndrome can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Down syndrome | CDC
National Down Syndrome Society: COVID-19 and Down Syndromeexternal icon
Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Heart Disease | CDC
COVID-19 | American Heart Associationexternal icon
HIV infection
Having HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
HIV Infection | CDC
National Institutes of Health: Special Considerations in People With HIV infectionexternal icon
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
Having a weakened immune system can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system. Primary immunodeficiency is caused by genetic defects that can be inherited. Prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines can lead to secondary or acquired immunodeficiency.
Get more information:
Types of Primary Immune Deficiency Diseasesexternal icon
The Jeffrey Modell Foundationexternal icon
Immune Deficiency Foundationexternal icon
Liver disease
Having chronic liver disease, such as alcohol-related liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and especially cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Liver Disease | NIDDK (nih.gov)external icon
American Liver Foundation: Your Liver & COVID-19external icon
Overweight and obesity
Overweight (defined as a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 but < 30 kg/m2), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 but < 40 kg/m2), or severe obesity (BMI of ≥40 kg/m2), can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. The risk of severe COVID-19 illness increases sharply with elevated BMI.
Get more information:
Obesity | CDC
Obesity, Race/Ethnicity, and COVID-19 | CDC
Obesity Action Coalition: COVID-19 and Obesityexternal icon
Pregnancy
Pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people.
Get more information:
Pregnant People | CDC
Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents | CDC
Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 during Pregnancy | CDC
Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
Having hemoglobin blood disorders like sickle cell disease (SCD) or thalassemia can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Sickle Cell Disease | CDC
Thalassemia | CDC
Smoking, current or former
Being a current or former cigarette smoker can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. If you currently smoke, quit. If you used to smoke, don’t start again. If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.
Get more information:
Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC
How to Quit Smoking | Quit Smoking | Tips From Former Smokers | CDC
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking | CDC
Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
Having had a solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, which includes bone marrow transplants, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Transplant Safety | CDC
COVID-19 Resources for Transplant Communityexternal icon
Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
Having cerebrovascular disease, such as having a stroke, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
Stroke | CDC
COVID19 Stroke Podcast Series for Patients and Caregivers external icon
Substance use disorders
Having a substance use disorder (such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
Get more information:
How to Recognize a Substance Use Disorderexternal icon
Learn more about people who use drugs or have Substance Use Disorder and COVID-19