What’s New in the COVID-19 and HIV Interim Guidance

Cross-posted from NIH Office of AIDS Research

Since this Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIVExit Disclaimer was last updated in June 2020, several observational cohort studies have been published that provided new insights into the risk of severe COVID-19 in persons with HIV. A summary of the findings from these studies is included in [the February 26, 2021] update.

Additional updates include:

• The Panels recommend that people with HIV should receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccines regardless of CD4 count or viral load, as the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks (AIII).
• This guidance provided information on several drugs currently used to treat COVID-19, including drugs that are currently FDA approved (remdesivir), commonly used (dexamethasone), or available through FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) (e.g., anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies, baricitinib, convalescent plasma).
• The Panels noted that the indications for use of these drugs should be the same for people with HIV as for the general population.
• The Panels updated information on the current understanding of the clinical course of COVID-19 in pregnancy. The Panels stressed the importance of continuing antiretroviral therapy in pregnant individuals with HIV who are hospitalized for COVID-19 management.
• The Panels updated information on the current knowledge regarding COVID-19 in children, including a discussion on multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The Panels stressed the importance of following the guidance of the Pediatric Antiretroviral Guidelines for managing children with HIV during the pandemic.

Read the full Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV.