People with HIV may have concerns and questions about COVID-19, including the risk of serious illness and vaccine safety.

Are people with HIV at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 than other people?

We are still learning about COVID-19 and how it affects people with HIV. Nearly half of people in the United States with diagnosed HIV are ages 50 and older. People with HIV also have higher rates of certain underlying health conditions. Older age and underlying health conditions can make people more likely to become seriously ill if they get COVID-19. This is especially true for people with advanced HIV or people with HIV who are not on treatment.

People at increased risk for severe illness, and those who live with or visit them, should take precautions (including getting vaccinated and wearing a well-fitting mask) to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Do COVID-19 treatments interact with medicine to treat or prevent HIV?

Some COVID-19 treatments can interact with antiretroviral therapy (ART) used to treat HIV. If you have HIV, let your health care provider know before starting COVID-19 treatment. There are no known interactions between HIV treatment and the medicine used to prevent COVID-19 (Evusheld).

For people without HIV, there is no evidence that currently available medicine used to treat or prevent COVID-19 will interact with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV.

If you have possible symptoms of COVID-19, have had a positive test, or been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, talk to your health care provider to see if you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment or preventive medicine.

Do COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of someone getting HIV?

No. There is no association between COVID-19 vaccines and risk for HIV infection. COVID-19 vaccines improve the immune system’s ability to prevent COVID-19 and protect vaccinated people from the more severe complications of COVID-19. 

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with HIV?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with HIV. COVID-19 vaccines meet the Food and Drug Administration’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality and people with HIV were included in vaccine clinical trials.

Authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring. This includes using established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.