How Immunocompromised Hosts Were Left Behind in the Quest to Control the COVID-19 Pandemic
Michael Boeckh, Steven A. Pergam, Ajit P. Limaye, Janet A. Englund, Lawrence Corey, Joshua A. Hill
Abstract
The immunocompromised population was disproportionately affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. However, these individuals were largely excluded from clinical trials of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecule antivirals. Although the community of scientists, clinical researchers, and funding agencies have proven that these therapeutics can be made and tested in record time, extending this progress to vulnerable and medically complex individuals from the start has been a missed opportunity. Here, we advocate that it is paramount to plan for future pandemics by investing in specific clinical trial infrastructure for the immunocompromised population to be prepared when the need arises.