As of 1/6/2023. All information contained is provided with input from physicians on the NGF Medical Advisory Board.
Please remember that this website provides only general information about COVID-19. Your Gaucher specialist is the best person to advise you about your health.
Medical understanding of COVID-19 is evolving. To maintain your optimal health, follow your local guidance and CDC COVID-19 recommendations.
COVID-19 and Gaucher
You should continue all treatments and medical management of lysosomal disorders, including Gaucher disease. Before making any changes to your medical regimen, or if you need care for COVID-19-related illness, seek advice from both your Gaucher specialist and your primary care provider (PCP). Learn more about coronavirus and people with Gaucher disease.
COVID-19 Vaccines Available Now
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or approved these vaccines:
- Pfizer (Comirnaty)
- Moderna (Spikevax)
- Novavax
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J/Janssen)
These vaccines received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA based on the initial data from each manufacturer. The FDA granted full approval to some vaccines after reviewing more detailed data.
Pfizer vaccine
On August 23, 2021, the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 years of age and older. The vaccine will be marketed as Comirnaty for the prevention of COVID-19 disease. This mRNA vaccine requires two doses, 3-8 weeks apart. On July 8, 2022, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12-15.
This vaccine has an EUA for ages 6 months – 11 years, with children receiving an age-appropriate dose. The Pfizer bivalent booster also has an EUA.
Moderna vaccine
On January 31, 2022, the FDA approved the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years of age and older. The vaccine will be marketed as Spikevax.
This vaccine has an EUA for ages 6 months – 17 years, with children receiving an age-appropriate dose. The Moderna bivalent booster also has an EUA.
Novavax vaccine
This protein subunit vaccine has an EUA for a 2-shot primary series for ages 12 and older.
People who received 2 Novavax shots are eligible for Pfizer or Moderna boosters. In limited cases, people 18 years of age or older can get the Novavax vaccine as a first booster.
Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The J&J/Janssen vaccine initially had an EUA for ages 18 and older. However, the FDA limited the EUA in 2022 because of the risk of adverse events from the J&J/Janssen vaccine.
This vaccine has a risk of causing thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a rare clotting disorder. Therefore, the updated EUA is for people 18 years of age and older who are unable or unwilling to get a different type of COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine primary series
A primary series is the initial dose of a vaccine. For some vaccines, the primary series is a single shot, while for others the primary series may be 2 or more shots given over time.
For vaccines that require two doses, it is important to get both doses within the recommended timeframe.
The primary series includes an additional shot for people who are immunocompromised. Read more about vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
COVID-19 boosters
Immunity from vaccines declines over time. How long immunity lasts varies by vaccine. For example, people need to get a flu shot each year, while tetanus boosters are recommended every 10 years. A booster is a shot given after the primary series to prolong immunity.
COVID-19 boosters may be monovalent or bivalent. Monovalent boosters target one strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, typically the original strain. Bivalent boosters target multiple strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Pfizer and Moderna bivalent boosters target the original strain from 2019 along with Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.
Learn more about the CDC booster recommendations and discuss with your physician if you should have a booster.
Vaccine fast facts
Vaccine | Type | Approval by age | Primary series* | Booster timing | Booster type |
Pfizer | mRNA | · Full approval for ages 12+
· EUA for ages 6 months – 11 years |
2 shots given 3-8 weeks apart | At least 2 months after primary series or last booster | Bivalent |
Moderna | mRNA | · Full approval for ages 18+
· EUA for ages 6 months – 17 years |
2 shots given 4-8 weeks apart | At least 2 months after primary series or last booster | Bivalent |
Novavax | Protein subunit | EUA for ages 12+ | 2 shots given 3-8 weeks apart | At least 2 months after primary series or last booster | Monovalent (limited eligibility) |
J&J/Janssen | Viral vector | Limited authorization for ages 18+ | 1 shot | Limited authorization at least 2 months after primary series | Monovalent (limited eligibility) |
Who Can Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine?
CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations indicate that the vaccines may be administered to persons with underlying medical conditions who have no contraindications to vaccination.
Answers to Other Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines and Gaucher
As more people become vaccinated and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we will update this section. Meanwhile, here is what we know:
Additional Coronavirus Resources for Gaucher Patients
Gaucher disease is one of many factors that uniquely affect your health. Seek advice from your Gaucher specialist as well as your PCP. Other resources that may interest you include:
- Coronavirus tips for Gaucher patients
- What precautions should people with Gaucher disease take?
- Coronavirus glossary
Thank You to Our Advising Gaucher Specialists
A panel of Gaucher specialists from Gaucher treatment centers addressed the questions above regarding the new COVID-19 vaccines.
Information on this page was contributed by a panel of Gaucher specialists including: Manisha Balwani, MD; Deborah S. Barboth, MD; T. Andrew Burrow, MD; Robin Ely, MD; Edward I. Ginns, MD, PhD; Ozlem Goker-Alpan, MD; Gregory A. Grabowski, MD; Priya S. Kishnani, MD; Heather Lau, MD; Nicola Longo, MD, PhD; Grisel Lopez, MD; Gustavo Maegawa, MD, PhD; Pramod Mistry, MBBS, PhD; Seymour Packman, MD; Barry Rosenbloom, MD; Tamanna Roshan Lal, MB ChB; Raphael Schiffmann, MD; Ellen Sidransky, MD; and Neal Weinreb, MD.
Sources
- CDC – Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/overview-COVID-19-vaccines.html
- CDC – Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work –https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html
- CNBC – CDC encourages people to wear masks to help prevent spread of Covid, flu and RSV over the holidays – https://www.npr.org/2022/12/07/1141372567/cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-advises-on-the-tripledemic
- NPR – CDC Director Rochelle Walensky advises on the ‘tripledemic – ‘https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/cdc-encourages-people-to-wear-masks-to-prevent-spread-of-covid-flu-rsv.html
- NPR – New omicron subvariants now dominant in the U.S., raising fears of a winter surge – https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/11/11/1136039817/new-omicron-subvariants-now-dominant-in-the-u-s-raising-fears-of-a-winter-surge
- WHO – Advice for the public: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) –https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
- S. News & World Report – CDC: Omicron Subvariants BQ, XBB Responsible For 3 Out of 4 Coronavirus Cases – https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2022-12-16/cdc-bq-xbb-responsible-for-3-out-of-4-coronavirus-cases