The more you understand about primary immunodeficiency (PI), the better you can live with the disease or support others in your life with PI. Learn more about PI, including the various diagnoses and treatment options.
Living with primary immunodeficiency (PI) can be challenging, but you’re not alone—many people with PI lead full and active lives. With the right support and resources, you can, too.
Be a hero for those with PI. Change lives by promoting primary immunodeficiency (PI) awareness and taking action in your community through advocacy, donating, volunteering, or fundraising.
Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or an individual with primary immunodeficiency (PI), IDF has resources to help you advance the field. Get details on surveys, grants, and clinical trials.
IDF Physician Advisory Committee Members Dr. Kathleen Sullivan and Dr. Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo released an informational video on November 25 providing updates on the recent developments in vaccines for COVID-19. The video explains:
Dr. Sullivan said vaccines work by imitating an infection. There are two components in vaccines that induce an immune response. Vaccines make antibodies, which are our shield from getting the infection, and pre-prime T cells to contain and control infection.
The two vaccines most likely to be distributed first are RNA vaccines, a technology not yet used in any mass vaccination program. The RNA vaccine gives instructions to our bodies to make an imitation infection so that we can mount an immune response. This vaccine does not use an actual part of the virus or bacteria. Instead, it causes your body to make a bit of the spike protein to which you will mount an immune response. Most vaccines will be administered through a simple injection.
Another option for treatment is antibodies, originally made to treat acute COVID-19. The antibodies are now being tested as a preventative strategy to keep people from acquiring the virus, much like people use immunoglobulin to prevent infections. The antibodies could be valuable for those with antibody deficiencies who can’t mount an antibody response to the vaccine.
The CDC gives each state autonomy on how they distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. A CDC Playbook offers some general guidance but has given states broad leeway to determine which populations get the vaccination first.
Is the vaccine safe for those with PI? The vaccine will not be live, which means the PI community does not need to be concerned that it can give them the disease. The physicians said they expect that those who do not have a deficiency in antibody production will be able to respond to the vaccine. It’s also important to remember that vaccines elicit an immune response to protect the body in ways apart from antibody production. This response may protect persons with PI, in particular those with antibody deficiency.
“Stay well, be safe, and know that things are changing rapidly for the better. I can be more optimistic than I have been before,” said Dr. Sullivan.
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