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NC COVID-19 »   Information For »   Individuals, Families and Communities »   Individuals at Higher Risk

Individuals at Higher Risk

Versión en Español

Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus, but some people are more likely than others to become severely ill.

People at high risk include anyone who:

  • Is 65 years of age or older
  • Lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • Is pregnant or was recently pregnant
  • Is a smoker
  • Has a high-risk condition that includes:
    • Cancer
    • Chronic kidney disease
    • Chronic lung diseases, including COPD, moderate-to-severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension
    • Dementia or other neurological conditions
    • Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
    • Down syndrome
    • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension
    • HIV infection
    • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
    • Liver disease
    • Mental health conditions
    • Overweight and obesity — overweight, body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher but less than 30; obesity, BMI of 30 or higher
    • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
    • Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
    • Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
    • Substance use disorders
    • Tuberculosis

Read the CDC's full list of underlying medical conditions at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults, people with asthma, people with HIV and what they can do to protect themselves.

Evusheld for Prevention of COVID-19 in People at High-Risk

While vaccination offers the best protection against COVID-19, the FDA issued an EUA for AstraZeneca’s Evusheld for prevention of COVID-19 in certain high-risk adults and high-risk youth age 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds. Evusheld is only authorized for people who are not currently infected with COVID-19 and who have not been recently exposed to an infected person. To qualify to receive this product you must either have: 

  • a moderate to severely compromised immune system due to a medical condition or due to taking immunosuppressive medications or treatments. Learn more about these conditions or medications. OR;
  • a history of severe adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine or ingredients in those vaccines, therefore vaccination with an available COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended.

A prescription is required to receive this product. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or another health care provider about whether Evusheld is right for you and find providers offering Evusheld in North Carolina. 

Evusheld is given as two consecutive injections and may be effective protection for up to six months. It is not authorized for treatment of COVID-19 and is not a substitute for vaccination in people for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended. Learn more about the safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccines by visiting MySpot.nc.gov. While vaccination offers the best protection from COVID-19 there are treatments available if you do get sick, visit our Treatments page for more information. With all COVID-19 treatments, early detection is crucial, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should seek testing early. Find testing locations.

Find Evusheld Near You

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NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030
For COVID-19 questions call 1-888-675-4567

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https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/individuals-families-and-communities/individuals-higher-risk