A pandemic preparedness network for individuals living with compromised immune systems

On 18 October 2021, retired General Colin Powell died of  complications from a COVID-19 infection at age 84 years despite receiving 2 messenger RNA vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). General Powell had a compromised immune system due to multiple myeloma. He represents the growing number of medically vulnerable Americans who have died of severe COVID-19 infection or remain at risk. In a world where new variants continue to circulate, the ability of vaccines to keep up remains uncertain. Our duty to protect our patients with compromised immune system illustrates an essential need for a continuous pandemic preparedness network to respond to current and future pandemics.