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People with comorbidities can take COVID-19 vaccine, says doctors

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Rashmi Mabiyan    01 March 2021

From 1st March, India is gearing to vaccinate all citizens above the age of 60 years and those above 45 years with comorbidities from 1st March. On Saturday, the centre released the list of 20 comorbidities to be covered for vaccination.

The document works as a certificate to identify the people with comorbidities that increases the risk of mortality in COVID-19 disease. It must be signed by a registered medical practitioner for urgent vaccination. The list of comorbidities consists of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, AIDS and people having disabilities.

As per the centre’s estimates, approximately 27 crore individuals belong to these categories. As the phase-2 vaccination is in good progress for protecting the high-risk groups against severe coronavirus disease. But experts are observing a hesitation among patients with underlying health conditions.

Medical experts have stated that they are receiving queries from patients whether they should take the COVID-19 vaccine or not. Advice from medical experts to people with comorbidities are as follows:

Diabetic patients

Dr V Mohan, Diabetologist and chairman of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, said that all diabetics should take the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will not increase the sugar levels. Approximately half of the people having diabetes in India are below 45 years of age. Type-2 diabetes is seen in much younger age group as compared to the Western countries.

Cancer patients

Dr PK Julka, principal director of medical oncology, Max Oncology Day Care Centre said that all patients who have completed their cancer treatment should take the vaccine regardless of comorbidities and their condition. For patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, they should complete their course of chemotherapy and then take the vaccine. Patients should not be afraid of the vaccines.

Cardiac patients

Chairman of Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute, Dr TS Kler, said that cardiac patients in stable condition should take a vaccine. If they are stable and not having any acute fever, breathlessness or acute heart failure can take the vaccine. Patients should not take vaccine immediately after a heart attack. Patients should be careful if they are taking blood thinners and get their international normalized ratio (INR) before taking the vaccine. It is generally advised for people on blood thinners to keep soft pressure on the vaccinated side for at least 5-10 minutes.

Patients with kidney disorders

Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Nephrologist and chairman of Manipal Hospitals, said that the highest risks for COVID mortality are for patients with kidney ailment, dialysis and patients who had transplantation, so it is very important that they should get vaccinated. People on dialysis should take the vaccine on a non-dialysis day as blood thinners are given during dialysis. Dr Ballal further added that the need of the hour is to immunize many people because COVID-19 has not gone away. A possibility of a second wave is seen in some states as the numbers have increased significantly. The only way to control the coronavirus pandemic is by appropriate COVID behaviour and it is in the hands of the people and second is through mass vaccination.

For phase-2 vaccination, both government and private healthcare organizations will play an important role in scaling up the immunization drive. Private hospitals who are functioning as COVID-19 vaccination centres might charge Rs 250 per person per dose while the government hospitals will offer free doses.

The list of 20 comorbidities will prioritise the person for vaccination:
  1. Heart failure with hospitalization in last one year
  2. Significant Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 40%)
  3. Post cardiac transplant/ Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
  4. Moderate or Severe Valvular Heart Disease
  5. Coronary Artery Disease with past CABG/ PTCA/ MI and Hypertension/ Diabetes on treatment
  6. Congenital heart disease with severe Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)or Idiopathic PAH
  7. Angina and Hypertension/ Diabetes treatment
  8. Pulmonary artery hypertension and Hypertension/ Diabetes on treatment
  9. CT/MRI documented stroke and Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
  10. Diabetes (>10 years or complication) and Hypertension
  11. End stage Kidney Disease on haemodialysis/ CAPD
  12. Kidney/Liver/Hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/ On wait-list
  13. Prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/ immunosuppressant medications
  14. Severe respiratory disease with hospitalisations in last two years/ FEVI <50%
  15. Decompensated cirrhosis
  16. Lymphoma/ Leukaemia/ Myeloma
  17. Sickle Cell Disease/ Bone marrow failure/ Aplastic Anemia/ Thalassemia Major
  18. Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after July 1, 2020 or currently on any cancer therapy
  19. Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/ HIV infection
  20. Persons with disabilities due to Intellectual disabilities/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/Muscular Dystrophy/ Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness / Persons with disabilities having high support needs

Source: ET Healthworld

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