Does asthma count as immunocompromised?

[Anonymous]

Specifically with regards to Covid boosters.

[Anonymous]

If you are regularly taking large doses of oral, or IV corticosteroids then you would be considered immunocompromised. If your asthma is controlled with other medications, including inhaled corticosteroids, and possibly short bursts of oral steroids, then it doesn't count. You're still at risk for more symptoms, and should get boosters, but not a third dose.

[Anonymous]

PP is correct.

Severe asthma still puts you at higher risk for Covid complications, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Yes, moderate to severe, on going medication management with corticosteroids. Unfortunately early on in the pandemic, it was generalized as just “asthma”and put on the “maybe” high risk list, which people latched into, when really that was meant to apply to Little Jimmy who needs his inhaler after he runs the mile in gym class, not people like moderate to severe asthmatics who can be hospitalized for IV steroids from a respiratory infection that started as a simple cold.

[Anonymous]

Not asthma itself, but someone with asthma could be immunocompromised from the medication they take. Are they on a high daily dose of corticosteroids? Simply using an albuterol rescue inhaler wouldn't make them immunocompromised.

Ultimately, though, immunocompromised is whatever their pediatrician decides it is. But I doubt well-controlled asthma would count.

[Anonymous]

OP here - got it, this all makes sense. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

a co-worker w Asthma just ended up in the hospital with COVID. Please take care of yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are regularly taking large doses of oral, or IV corticosteroids then you would be considered immunocompromised. If your asthma is controlled with other medications, including inhaled corticosteroids, and possibly short bursts of oral steroids, then it doesn't count. You're still at risk for more symptoms, and should get boosters, but not a third dose.

What is the difference between the booster and third dose? Just the timing/qualifying factors? I know Moderna is also a different dosage. But isn’t Pfizer the same vaccine either way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are regularly taking large doses of oral, or IV corticosteroids then you would be considered immunocompromised. If your asthma is controlled with other medications, including inhaled corticosteroids, and possibly short bursts of oral steroids, then it doesn't count. You're still at risk for more symptoms, and should get boosters, but not a third dose.

What is the difference between the booster and third dose? Just the timing/qualifying factors? I know Moderna is also a different dosage. But isn’t Pfizer the same vaccine either way?

People who get third doses also get the booster (a fourth shot, for us) six months out.