Chronic diseases are not contraindicated to vaccination, and older people should not miss out on self-assessment and miss vaccination opportunities

With chronic diseases in themselves, wouldn't it be more dangerous to get vaccinated?

After vaccination, the doctor always advises so many precautions, is it not because it is unsafe?

"If the control is stable, you can be vaccinated", what is "stable"?

In this regard, Guangzhou disease prevention and control experts specialize in in-depth science popularization: chronic diseases are not strict contraindications to vaccination against the new crown virus; chronic diseases and underlying diseases will increase the risk of severe illness and death after infection with the new crown virus, but do not increase the incidence of adverse vaccine reactions after vaccination; after infection, the risk of severe illness and death is higher in the elderly, and the incidence of adverse reactions is lower than that of young people, so the elderly population is very worthy of vaccination.

Chronic diseases do not increase the risk of adverse vaccine reactions

Some citizens will ask that the acute onset of chronic diseases, or uncontrolled serious chronic diseases, are contraindicated in vaccination, does not mean that it is more dangerous for patients with chronic diseases to be vaccinated?

In this regard, Zhang Chunhuan, deputy director of the Immunization Planning Department of the Guangzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, clarified that suffering from chronic diseases and underlying diseases will not lead to a higher incidence of adverse vaccine reactions after vaccination, and will not lead to the progression of pre-existing diseases. So why are acute onset of chronic diseases and uncontrolled serious diseases listed as contraindications to vaccination? This is because after vaccination, there is a possibility of adverse reactions, in the pre-existing disease symptoms are not well controlled, and after vaccination, there is physical discomfort, which may make it difficult to distinguish what causes the symptoms, adding difficulty to follow-up treatment.

"Chronic diseases, the underlying disease itself, and the adverse reactions that may occur after vaccination, from the perspective of the mechanism of occurrence, the two will only be a simple superposition of '1 + 1 = 2', generally there will be no '1 + 1>2' situation." Zhang Chunhuan said.

In the case of physical disease, but the symptoms of the disease are mild and the control is stable, even if the adverse reactions may be superimposed, the symptoms of the simple adverse reactions are not much different, will not be confused, and will not greatly increase the difficulty of adverse reaction management. "This is also what we often say, in the stable period of chronic diseases, as long as the body is well controlled and the drug control is stable, it can be vaccinated."

If the relevant indicators remain stable, even if the control is stable

It is worth mentioning that in the early days of the new crown virus vaccination work, the situation of suspension of vaccination was once strictly controlled. "With the advancement of vaccination work and the collection of a large amount of data, we believe that the new crown virus vaccine is also safe for the elderly population, and the situation of suspension of vaccination must also change." Even patients with chronic diseases can be vaccinated as long as they are in good physical condition and have stable drug control. Therefore, the current contraindications to vaccination against the new crown virus are only the 5 categories mentioned in the vaccination guidelines. Zhang Chunhuan said.

What constitutes "stable condition"? He introduced that if the current treatment measures have been maintained for a period of time, the condition has not progressed, and the relevant indicators remain stable and will not be more serious, it can be considered to be in a stable state, "Of course, if you can go out to socialize, climb the mountain, and dance square dance, it shows that your physical condition is good." "Before vaccination, doctors will also assess the physical condition of the vaccinated person, and the elderly should not arbitrarily assess themselves and miss the opportunity to obtain vaccine protection."

Five "contraindications to vaccination"

According to the current technical guidelines for new coronavirus vaccination in the mainland, the contraindications to vaccination of new coronavirus vaccine include five types:

(1) Persons who are allergic to the active ingredient of the vaccine, any kind of inactive ingredient, or substances used in the production process, or those who have been allergic when they have previously received the same vaccine;

(2) Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past (such as acute allergic reaction, angioedema, dyspnea, etc.);

(3) Persons suffering from uncontrolled epilepsy and other serious neurological diseases (such as transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, demyelinating disease, etc.);

(4) Persons with fever, or suffering from acute diseases, or acute onset of chronic diseases, or patients with uncontrolled serious chronic diseases;

(5) Pregnant women.

Among them, the first and second points can be considered as strict contraindications to vaccination, unless it is assessed that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and are prepared to deal with allergic reactions, generally do not vaccinate; and the third, fourth, and fifth points of vaccination contraindications are actually the health status of the human body in a certain limited period of time, not fixed, so it can be considered as "relatively contraindicated".

146 million people over the age of 60 have completed intensive immunization on the mainland

According to Xinhua News Agency, the national epidemic prevention and control situation is still complex and severe, and covid-19 vaccination and effective personal protection are effective means for the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Experts say that vaccination against COVID-19 can effectively reduce the risk of severe illness and death in the elderly.

According to Lei Zhenglong, deputy director of the Disease Control Bureau of the National Health Commission, as of April 5, the number of people over 60 years old who have been vaccinated has exceeded 224 million, more than 212 million people have been vaccinated, and more than 146 million people have been strengthened.

"Most of the elderly have underlying diseases, once infected with the new crown virus, the risk of severe illness and death is higher than that of other age groups, and the risk of severe illness and death in the elderly can be effectively reduced after vaccination against the new crown." Lei Zhenglong called on everyone to complete the full vaccination in a timely manner and complete the enhanced immunization in a timely manner according to the procedures.

In response to the concern of some elderly people that there will be adverse reactions after vaccination with the new crown vaccine, Wang Huaqing, chief expert of the immunization program of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, introduced that from the analysis of the report of adverse reactions after vaccination, the reported incidence of adverse reactions in the elderly aged 60 and above is lower than that of other age groups.

Wang Huaqing suggested that people with chronic underlying diseases and people who are taking medications are recommended to delay vaccination if they are in the acute onset of chronic diseases.

What if the elderly cannot be vaccinated due to special circumstances? Wang Huaqing said that protective measures should be taken to try not to go to crowded places during the epidemic period, reduce contact with strangers, wear masks, and maintain hand hygiene.

"For people around the elderly, it is also very important to do a good job of personal protection." Wang Huaqing suggested that families and others who come into contact with the elderly should be vaccinated in time to protect the elderly.

Text/Guangzhou Daily, New Flower City Reporter: Wu Ling

According to Xinhua News Agency (reporters Xu Penghang and Gu Tiancheng)

Video/Guangzhou Daily Xinhuacheng Reporter: Wu Ling

Video Clip/Guangzhou Daily New Flower City Editor: Li Jin

Photo/ Guangzhou Daily, New Flower City Reporter: Mo Weinong, Chen Youzi

Guangzhou Daily Xinhuacheng Editor: Zhao Xiaoman