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Immunocompromised Collaborative

Mission

The Immunocompromised Collaborative (ICC) represents the united voice of communities whose health status makes them most vulnerable to threats from infectious disease. We seek to inform federal and state policies to prevent the spread of infection and ensure that the needs of the immunocompromised are met.

Who we represent

The communities we represent are made up of a broad and diverse range of immunocompromised patient populations, including those with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies such as:

  • Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and other primary immunodeficiencies.
  • Blood cancer and those with other cancers receiving CAR-T therapies or other immunosuppressive treatments.
  • Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, that are treated with immunosuppressive medications. 
  • Organ and bone marrow transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications. 
  • Elderly individuals and children and adults with disabilities or other chronic conditions that make them vulnerable to infectious diseases. 

Use the interactive map below to explore the number of immunocompromised people ages 0-64 in each state/territory. To see a breakdown of under 18 and 18-64, hover over (or tap and hold on mobile) a state/territory.

A new analysis of 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data estimates the percentage of adults in the U.S. that are immunocompromised is 6.6%, slightly higher than the 6.2% rate used in the map above. 

Through our joint advocacy, we work to address the public health challenges that impact the vulnerable communities we serve.

Key focus areas

  • Supporting policymakers’ efforts to promote widespread immunization and raise awareness for the importance of adequate uptake of vaccinations to protect those who are immunocompromised. 
  • Supporting legislative and executive actions to ensure immunocompromised individuals have full access to necessary healthcare services and treatments, including alternative care settings or formats.
  • Representing immunocompromised populations in meetings with federal or state policymakers and elected officials, including serving as advisors to officials regarding establishing public health policies.
  • Providing written comments to agencies on issues impacting the immunocompromised populations. 

72+ million Americans may not mount a protective response to vaccines or cannot be safely vaccinated.

Worker in a factory

14 million

children and working age adults who are immunocompromised.

Older adult couple looking through paperwork.

58 million

seniors whose immune systems naturally weaken with age.

Newborn baby held by healthcare provider.

Babies

who are too young to be vaccinated.

The collaborative's history

In May 2020, as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was taking hold in the United States, the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) recognized that, while there were many patient advocacy coalitions, there was no group advocating specifically for the immunocompromised population as a whole. Bringing together immunocompromised groups to inform policy during the pandemic and in the future would not only help those who were immunocompromised but could benefit all Americans.

With this in mind, IDF pulled together a steering committee composed of The AIDS Institute, American Autoimmune Related Disease Association (AARDA; since renamed the Autoimmune Association), IDF, the Lupus Foundation of America, and Susan G. Komen. The assembled group represented a variety of immunocompromised populations, including individuals affected by AIDS, autoimmune diseases, primary immunodeficiencies, and cancer. The steering committee worked together to develop its initial outreach to Congress in July of 2020—a letter signed by over 40 organizations with policy recommendations to protect the immunocompromised during the pandemic. The steering committee then laid the groundwork for a larger collaborative to assemble and planned the group’s first legislative briefing for March 17, 2021, to bring the barriers faced by the immunocompromised community to the forefront.