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COVID-19 Vaccine and Asthma: What You Need to Know

Should people with asthma get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, says board-certified allergist Purvi Parikh, MD, national spokesperson for Allergy & Asthma Network. People with underlying medical conditions such as asthma can receive the COVID-19 vaccine as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of its ingredients.

“I encourage everyone who is offered or has access to the vaccine to get it as soon as possible,” Dr. Parikh says.

When you do get either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, it’s important to remember to schedule a time for the second dose. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is given 21 days after the first dose, while the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is 28 days.

Should people with asthma get the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot?

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for everyone ages 12 and older. The booster shot is intended to bolster protection, especially against more transmissible variants. It may be particularly beneficial for people with weak immune systems, including those with asthma and COPD.

Booster shots are available for Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. It is recommended people receive the same vaccine dose as their initial series. According to FDA, people may receive as their booster shot a different vaccine than the one they received as their original dose. Some research suggests this mixing and matching approach may make your vaccine more effective, according to National Institutes of Health.

The booster dose for Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna would be administered six months after a person received the second dose of the vaccine. The booster dose for Johnson & Johnson would be given two months after a person received the dose.

Side effects to the vaccine booster shot are considered similar to side effects of the initial vaccine dose. The booster dose, just like the initial dose, is safe for pregnant women and has not been linked to any fertility concerns.

Should people with asthma who use inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids or biologics get the COVID-19 vaccine?

People with asthma who use inhaled corticosteroids can get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). There is no evidence to indicate that taking low or moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma weaken the immune system and impact the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

People with asthma who take oral corticosteroids can get the COVID-19 vaccine, ACAAI says. However, more research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine as there is a potential for a reduced immune response. It may depend on the patient’s daily dose and how long the patient has been on oral corticosteroids.

People who are on biologics for asthma can get the vaccine, but it’s recommended there be a 1-7 day waiting period between injections, according to ACAAI. Contact your doctor before getting the vaccine.


https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/covid-vaccine-and-asthma/

https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/covid-vaccine-and-asthma/

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CDC

People with Moderate to Severe Asthma

Updated Apr. 7, 2021

Risk of severe illness from COVID-19

People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to  be hospitalized from COVID-19. Take steps to protect yourself.

Protect yourself from COVID-19

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. Find a vaccine.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Test to prevent spread to others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

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Follow your Asthma Action Plan

• Keep your asthma under control by following your asthma action plan.
• Avoid your asthma triggers.
• Continue current medications, including any inhalers with steroids in them (“steroids” is another word for corticosteroids). Know how to use your inhaler.
• Do not stop any medications or change your asthma treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about creating an emergency supply of prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers. Make sure that you have 30 days of non-prescription medications and supplies on hand in case you need to stay home for a long time.
• Be careful around cleaning agents and disinfectants

Follow the recommendations below to reduce your chance of an asthma attack while cleaning. Follow recommendations for cleaning your home and in your facility.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home

• If you have asthma:
  • Ask an adult without asthma to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects for you.
  • Stay in another room when cleaners or disinfectants are being used and right after their use.
  • Use cleaning agents and disinfectant only when necessary. In routine situations, high-touch surfaces and objects might be cleaned effectively with soap and water.
  • Make a list of the urgent care or health facilities near you that provides nebulizer/asthma treatments and keep it close to your phone.
  • If you have an asthma attack, move away from the trigger, such as the cleaning agent or disinfectant or the area that was disinfected. Follow your Asthma Action Plan. Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• The person cleaning and disinfecting should:
  • Choose disinfectants that are less likely to cause an asthma attack, using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s list of approved productsexternal icon, such as:
    • Products with hydrogen peroxide (no stronger than 3%) or ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
    • Products that do NOT contain peroxyacetic acid or peracetic acid.
  • Limit use of chemicals that can trigger asthma attacks, such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite) or quaternary ammonium compounds (for example, benzalkonium chloride), and do not use them in enclosed spaces.
  • Follow additional precautions for cleaning and disinfecting places where people with asthma might be, to reduce exposure to asthma triggers.
• Use products safely and correctly:
  • Always read and follow the directions on the product label to ensure you are using it safely and effectively.
  • Wear skin protection such as gloves and consider eye protection to protect yourself against splashes.
  • Make sure there is enough air flow (ventilation).
  • Use only the amount recommended on the label.
  • Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label).
  • Do NOT mix chemical products. Label diluted cleaning solutions.
• Store products safely and correctly
  • Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Label diluted cleaning solutions.
  • Follow EPA’s 6 steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Useexternal icon.

If you feel ill

Call your healthcare provider to ask about your symptoms. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health centerexternal icon or health department. Remember to call 911 for medical emergencies.

Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety

• It is natural for some people to feel concerned or stressed as more cases of COVID-19 are discovered and our communities act to combat the spread of disease. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack.
• For more information on coping with a disaster or traumatic event, visit
• Stress and Coping | COVID-19 | CDC
• Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event | CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response

Patient resources

EXHALE technical package pdf icon[1.5 MB, 8 pages]

Allergy and Asthma Network external icon

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaexternal icon

National Environmental Education Foundationexternal icon

Additional resources for schools and childcare programs

• Information on operating schools during COVID-19
• Information on operating childcare programs during COVID-19
• For information on administering asthma medication in schools, K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/asthma.html

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