Immunocompromised patients might not get COVID protection from vaccines

The U.S. is reporting more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases a day. The Delta variant is even more nerve-wracking for people with weakened immune systems. Trevor Achilles, a 27-year-old resident of Charlottesville, had a kidney transplant 12 years ago, and since then, he’s had to take immunosuppressive drugs to ensure his body doesn’t reject the kidney. He’s gotten three COVID vaccine shots — but produced no antibodies.

“I got the flu before the pandemic began, and I was knocked out flat practically. And when I get sick, I tend to get sicker than most. And so I'm particularly vulnerable to getting something like COVID. And unfortunately, that pertains to the [COVID vaccine] shots as well, because my body just won't accept any kind of foreign interference,” he says.

He adds, “I may have to start hibernating again, so to speak. I'm just really concerned about the Delta variants because it's much more contagious. … I'm willing to do anything and everything to protect myself and my family.”