All people living with HIV should get a “Spring Booster” against COVID-19

Evidence of the benefits of COVID-19 booster vaccinations, especially against omicron strains, was presented at the British HIV Association (BHIVA) conference.

BHIVA has recommended that all people aged 12 years and older with weakened immune systems, including all people with HIV, should receive their first and second booster doses six months after their last vaccination - bringing the total number of doses up to four. This booster should be in the form of an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna.

Studies have shown that people living with HIV are more prone to developing severe COVID-19 and that their immune response to vaccines may be weaker than that of the general population. The immune response to vaccines can be affected by a person’s viral load, CD4 count and any other co-infections or health conditions. But people living with HIV are still at higher risk, and as such are recommended to get their booster doses.