Can the elderly and patients with chronic diseases be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Can the elderly and patients with chronic diseases be vaccinated against COVID-19?

   One of the best ways to prevent the COVID-19 today is to get vaccinated, because vaccination provides effective protection for individuals and, in turn, for populations. Vaccination also reduces the rate of infection, severe illness and mortality rate. This is why China has launched a mass vaccination campaign.

However, elderly people and patients with chronic diseases may have some concerns and wonder whether they can receive the vaccine.

  On March 29, the National Health Commission released the first edition of the technical guidelines for vaccination against COVID-19, which further explains the considerations for vaccination of specific groups such as patients with chronic diseases, women of childbearing age (Including pregnant and lactating Women), and those with impaired immune function. Then, let's take a look at whether patients with chronic diseases and the elderly can be vaccinated.

 1.       The elderly population over 60 years of age

    &As we all know, people over 60 years old are at a very high risk of serious illness and death if they are infected with the COVID-19. That is why protection for the elderly population becomes a top priority.

   &Currently, Beijing and Shanghai are vaccinating elderly people who are willing to be vaccinated and are in good health, based on a full assessment of their health status and risk of being infected.

The joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council said that after clinical trials have obtained sufficient safety and efficacy data, the next step will be to expand the scale and steadily and orderly carry out vaccination for people over 60 years old.

  2.      Patients with chronic diseases and allergies

Patients with which chronic disease cannot be vaccinated? What about people with allergies? Experts have also given clear answers to the multiple concerns of the public.

    &People with chronic diseases are also at high risk of being infected by the virus. People with chronic diseases being evaluated by doctors to have stable health conditions and good medication control do not belong to the group of people who are contraindicated to receive vaccine, it is recommended for them to receive the vaccine. Therefore, patients with chronic diseases need to truthfully inform their doctors of their health status and past medical history and allergy history, including the history of chronic diseases, when receiving vaccine, so that doctors can make a comprehensive evaluation and determine whether they are suitable for vaccination.

　&Of course, people who are allergic to vaccines or vaccine components cannot be vaccinated, but those who are allergic to food, pollen or other drugs such as penicillin can still be vaccinated. In addition, one of the purposes of requiring vaccinees to remain on site for 30 minutes after vaccination is to prevent other injuries resulting from acute allergies.

   &The State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism will further standardize the determination of contraindications for people with chronic diseases and allergies, so that the vaccine can benefit the public to the greatest extent. Some residents whose health conditions meet the requirements for vaccination but who are on the fence about the safety of the vaccine can put their worries to rest and get vaccinated as soon as possible.