Things to know 

• While social media and the news might suggest otherwise, you are not alone. According to the AMA, about 7 million US adults are considered immunocompromised from cancer, organ transplants, stem cell transplants, and more. 
• The CDC has different recommendations for anyone considered moderately or severely immunocompromised. If you received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines followed by a 3rd dose, you should receive a booster at least 3 months after your 3rd shot (for a total of 4 jabs). mRNA vaccines are preferred for people 18+ years old, but those who received one dose of J&J/Janssen are encouraged to get an additional dose or a booster with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. 
• People who are immunocompromised may be considered for monoclonal antibody treatment, a preventive measure to reduce the risk of severe illness). The first dose must be provided within 96 hours of exposure to COVID-19 (Mayo Clinic).
• Check the visitor policy of your medical facility so you know who can accompany you to treatment or doctor’s visits and where they are allowed. Some will require proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID test result. These policies change frequently, but a quick call to the facility will give you the info you need.

Things to do

• Keep track of COVID-19 case counts in your local community. Looking at data can help you weigh risk and have informed discussions with your doctor. 
• Tell loved ones what you feel comfortable doing so they are aware of your needs. As oncology nurse Sarah DeOliveira Fredette says, “I tend to encourage my patients to first determine their comfort level with certain activities, and be open with their friends and family.” 
  • TIP: Check out Mayo Clinic’s list of safe outdoor activities

• If you choose to gather indoors with a group, ask everyone to test first. Alula’s founder & CEO Liya Shuster-Bier (a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor and stem cell transplant recipient) recounts how she recently asked a group of people to take rapid antigen tests before attending an indoor dinner: “I was anxious to ask because I wasn’t sure how people would react, but everyone was so receptive and willing. It made me feel so much more at ease, and I think a lot of the fear of a negative reaction was just in my head.”
• Start small and take baby steps. Even if a clinician says an activity is safe, it still might make you anxious or uncomfortable, so remember to only do what feels good to you. Talking with your care team about how you felt in a specific situation can also help ease anxiety and allow you to make adjustments as needed.