Follow a COVID-19 action plan if you have a weakened immune system

If you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system, it’s more important than ever to have a COVID-19 action plan.

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the therapeutic agent  EVUSHELD is not currently authorized for emergency use in the U.S. This monoclonal antibody had been prescribed to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems to help prevent COVID-19 infection, but the latest data suggests it’s unlikely to be effective against the Omicron subvariants dominating at this time. 

These steps can help protect those with weakened immune systems and others against severe outcomes from COVID-19:

Be up to date on vaccination: The safe and highly effective Omicron booster is recommended at least two months after your last COVID-19 vaccination. During December, Arizonans who had received the updated booster were 13 times less likely to be hospitalized and 25 times less likely to die from COVID-19. You can find providers at azhealth.gov/FindVaccine.

Improve ventilation: Opening a window or moving a gathering outdoors helps reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Learn about testing and treatment before you get sick: To save valuable time if you are exposed or develop symptoms, we recommend getting up to speed now on options for testing at azhealth.gov/Testing and for treatments such as Paxlovid at azhealth.gov/Antivirals. Talk with your health care provider about treatment options if you test positive.

Wash your hands often: Also be sure to avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

Consider wearing a high-quality mask and maintaining distance in crowded places: An N95 or KN95 mask, when worn properly, offers the highest degree of protection. Learn more at azhealth.gov/Masks. 

It’s also important to stay up to date on COVID-19 community levels in your area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates community levels on Thursdays. 

Please follow this link to see other CDC tips for a COVID-19 action plan.