Vaccinations and HIV

Vaccines are one of the simplest and most effective tools for staying healthy with HIV. Staying current on recommended vaccines is a standard part of good HIV care, and most vaccines are both safe and strongly encouraged for people living with HIV.

Why Vaccines Matter

Because HIV affects the immune system, preventing infections before they start is especially valuable. Vaccines help your body build defenses against certain illnesses without you having to get sick first. For people with HIV, staying up to date on recommended vaccines is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of preventable illness.

What to Expect

Your HIV care provider will typically review your vaccination history as part of your regular care and recommend any that you may be missing, based on your age, health history, and CD4 count. Vaccination is usually most effective when your immune system is stronger, so your provider may time certain vaccines around your treatment progress.

Live Vaccines Need Special Consideration

Most vaccines used today do not contain a live virus and are safe for people with HIV at any CD4 level. However, a small number of vaccines use a weakened live virus. These may need extra consideration depending on your current immune status. This isn't something to worry about on your own. Simply let any provider know you have HIV before receiving a vaccine, and they can confirm it's the right choice for your situation.

Building It Into Your Routine

A simple way to stay on top of vaccinations is to:

• Mention vaccines during your regular HIV care visits

• Keep a personal record of what you've received and when

• Ask your provider before receiving any vaccine outside of your regular HIV care, such as through a pharmacy or travel clinic

• Bring up travel plans in advance, since some destinations recommend additional vaccines

Key Takeaways

• Staying current on recommended vaccines is a safe and important part of HIV care.

• Most vaccines are safe for people with HIV, regardless of CD4 count.

• A small number of live vaccines need extra consideration based on your immune status. Always mention your HIV status before receiving any vaccine.

• Ask your care team to review your vaccine history as part of your regular visits.