Why should the elderly seize the time to get the new coronavirus vaccine? Shanghai Municipal Health Commission invites experts to answer hot issues.
1. The elderly don’t come into contact with many people, so is it unnecessary to get vaccinated?
Although the scope of activities of the elderly is more limited than that of young people, they can also be infected with the virus through their juniors at home and the people they come into contact with. Recently, many elderly cases have appeared in the domestic epidemic. In addition, the risk of severe illness and death among elderly people after infection is much higher than that among young people and children.
Although the proportion of severe illness and death caused by the new coronavirus varies globally, the common feature is that unvaccinated elderly people and people with chronic underlying diseases have a higher risk of developing severe illness and death.
2. Is COVID-19 vaccination safe and effective?
All the COVID-19 vaccines currently used in this city have been approved for marketing or approved for emergency use with conditions. According to the clinical trials of the new coronavirus vaccine carried out in our country, as well as the large-scale vaccination that our country has carried out in accordance with laws and regulations on the premise of voluntary informed consent, the safety and effectiveness of the above-mentioned vaccine have been verified.
3. What risks may the elderly face if they do not receive a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine?
According to domestic and foreign research results, vaccines have played a great role in preventing severe illness and death. However, after vaccination, immunity and protective effects will decrease and weaken over time. Therefore, enhanced immunity of the new coronavirus vaccine is currently recommended at home and abroad.
COVID-19 vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and death, research shows. After completing the basic immunity of the new coronavirus vaccine, even if infected, the risk of developing severe disease is reduced by at least 80%. If a booster shot is also received, the risk is reduced by more than 90%. Therefore, eligible elderly people should complete the booster vaccination as soon as possible.
4. Which COVID-19 vaccine is more suitable for the elderly?
The types of new coronavirus vaccines currently approved for use in my country include inactivated vaccine , adenovirus vector vaccine and recombinant protein vaccine . These vaccines have proven their effectiveness and safety through preliminary clinical trials and large-scale use.
No matter which vaccine is used or which booster immunization method is used, as long as the vaccination conditions are met and there are no contraindications, vaccination can be selected according to the local vaccine supply, which can effectively reduce the risk of severe illness and death.
5. How to get the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for the elderly?
At present, people aged 60 and above who have completed the full course of vaccination for 3 months can receive booster immunization. Eligible persons can choose homologous booster or sequential booster vaccination according to relevant national requirements.
6. Can elderly people with chronic diseases get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The elderly and people with chronic diseases are at high risk of severe illness and death after being infected with the new coronavirus. People with chronic diseases whose health is stable and well controlled by medications are recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Patients in the stable phase should still take medication as prescribed by their doctor before and after vaccination.
7. Can people with serious illnesses such as tumors and postoperative surgeries be vaccinated against the new coronavirus?
Patients with tumors and postoperative surgeries are advised to refer to the recommendations of clinicians, combined with the patient's health status and related indicators. If the condition is stable, they can be vaccinated. If the condition is not yet stable, it is recommended to postpone vaccination.
8. Under what circumstances is it not recommended for the elderly to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
The "Notice on Issuing the Work Plan for Strengthening the New Coronavirus Vaccination for the Elderly" (Guowei Mingdian [2022] No. 484) issued by the Comprehensive Team of the State Council's New Coronavirus Pneumonia Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for the Epidemic further clarified the criteria for determining vaccination contraindications, including:
① Severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock and laryngeal edema, occurred during previous vaccinations;
②Delay vaccination for acute infectious diseases in the febrile stage;
③Delay vaccination for serious chronic diseases in the acute attack stage, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients with hypertensive crisis , coronary heart disease patients with myocardial infarction, autoimmune neurological diseases in the progression stage, and epilepsy patients in the seizure stage;
④ Life has entered the terminal stage due to severe chronic diseases.
9. Is there anything special that should be paid attention to when the elderly or the elderly in nursing homes are vaccinated?
During the period of closed management of elderly care institutions, staff will serve as volunteers to accompany the elderly to carry out vaccinations. Family members need to issue a "letter of authorization" in advance. Elderly care institutions must make relevant personnel arrangements to ensure the smooth progress of vaccination for the elderly.
10. Do people who have been infected with the new coronavirus need to get the new coronavirus vaccine?
Existing research data and vaccination technical guidelines stipulate that re-infection within 6 months after infection with the new coronavirus is rare. People who have been infected with the new coronavirus (patients or asymptomatic infections) can be vaccinated with one dose after 6 months.
Source: Wen Wei Po
