U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

09/27/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/27/2021 16:42

COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Underlying Medical Conditions

People Who Have Previously Had:

Autoimmune conditions

People with autoimmune conditions may receive a COVID-19 vaccine. People from this group were eligible for enrollment in some of the clinical trials. Results from these clinical trials showed that safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people with autoimmune conditions were similar to the general population. More information about vaccine clinical trials can be found below.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)

People who have previously had GBS may receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To date, no cases of GBS have been reported following vaccination in participants in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. One case of GBS was reported in a vaccinated participant in the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine clinical trial (compared to one GBS case among those who received placebo). With few exceptions, the independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) general best practice guidelines for immunization do not include a history of GBS as a precaution to vaccination with other vaccines.

Bell's palsy

People who have previously had Bell's palsy may receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Cases of Bell's palsy were reported following vaccination in participants in the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider these to be more than the rate expected in the general population. They have not concluded these cases were caused by vaccination.

People with Underlying Medical Conditions Included in the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials

Vaccine manufacturers report information from clinical trials, including demographics and underlying medical conditions of people who participated in COVID-19 vaccine trials. You can find additional information on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials at clinicaltrials.govexternal icon , a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.

Related Pages

Specific Vaccines

Specific Groups