People of all ages or groups can be infected with COVID-19. Some people are more likely than others to get very sick from COVID-19, which can lead to hospitalization or death, even when symptoms start off as mild.
Some people are at a greater risk of COVID-19 becoming severe because they meet certain criteria, including where they live, work, or have difficulty accessing health care. This includes many people from racial and ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.
In addition, having one or more of the following factors puts you at high risk of getting severe COVID-19*:
65 years or older
Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic liver disease
Chronic lung disease (including moderate-to-severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], emphysema, and chronic bronchitis)
Cystic fibrosis
Dementia or other neurological conditions
Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
Disabilities (including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], cerebral palsy, birth defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, spinal cord injuries, Down syndrome)
Heart conditions
HIV infection
Immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system
Mental health conditions (including mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and depression)
Overweight or having obesity
Physical inactivity
Pregnant or recently pregnant (for at least 42 days following end of pregnancy)
Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
Smoking, current or former
Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
Substance use disorders (such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder)
Tuberculosis
*This list does not include all possible conditions that may put you at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you have questions about a condition not included on this list, talk to your healthcare provider. Visit the CDC website for the latest information and the full list of high risk factors: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.†
†This link will take you to a website that is owned and operated by the CDC. Pfizer is not responsible for the content or services of this site.