This fall and winter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the number of people hospitalized with respiratory viruses like COVID-19, RSV, and influenza to be similar to or lower than last year — but still higher than before the pandemic. To help protect against the latest COVID-19 variants, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated vaccines.

Separately, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is recommending people who are immunocompromised consider taking pemivibart (Pemgarda), a preventive treatment against severe illness from COVID-19. Recent research also suggests that taking the antiviral treatment nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) during a COVID-19 infection can lower the risk of long COVID for people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.

Finally, free COVID-19 tests are now available to U.S. households.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines

The updated messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are designed specifically to target the most recent variants of the virus, including the omicron KP.2 strain. Similarly, the updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine — which is protein-based — has been updated to target the omicron JN.1 strain. This targeted approach aims to provide better protection against hospitalization or death from COVID-19.

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. “It is especially important to get your 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine if you are ages 65 and older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine,” according to the agency.

Additional Protection for Immunocompromised Individuals

In August, the IDSA released guidelines recommending pemivibart for people 12 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and may not respond effectively to vaccines. Granted an emergency use authorization by the FDA in March 2024, pemivibart is taken to help prevent COVID-19 in people who are not currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and have not had recent exposure to someone with the virus. It’s given as an IV infusion and works by neutralizing (stopping or weakening) the virus if the person is exposed to it.

For people who are immunocompromised and do catch COVID-19, taking nirmatrelvir-ritonavir may help reduce their risk of long COVID. The FDA approved the drug in 2023 to treat moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk of severe illness. An observational study found that taking nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was linked to a 12 percent lower chance of developing long COVID — primarily for people with a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Free Tests Available

Finally, the federal government will offer free COVID-19 tests through the mail. Every U.S. household can order four tests at COVIDTests.gov. These tests will detect current COVID-19 variants.

Should You Consider the New COVID-19 Vaccines or Treatments if You Have Leukemia?

If you have leukemia, particularly if you’re undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, your immune system may be weakened. This increases your vulnerability to severe COVID-19, and vaccines could be less effective. Staying up to date on vaccines can play an important role in protecting you, and pemivibart could offer an additional layer of defense. Additionally, if you contract COVID-19, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir may help reduce the risk of severe illness and long COVID, especially if taken early. At-home testing offers a quick, easy way to determine if you may be infected and contagious, so you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to COVID-19 protection if you’re living with leukemia. It’s important to discuss with your doctor whether the latest vaccines, pemivibart, or Paxlovid could be right for you.

Find out what the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has advised about saying safe from COVID-19 vaccines.

Find Your Team

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines and leukemia, you’re not alone. By joining MyLeukemiaTeam — the social network for people living with leukemia and their loved ones — you can connect with thousands of others who understand life with leukemia.

How have your experiences been with COVID-19 and vaccines? What questions do you have? Share your story in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.