COVID 19 and Sickle Cell Disease

Table of Contents

COVID 19 and Sickle Cell Disease

After propensity score matching, patients with COVID-19 and SCD remained at a higher risk of hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.5-2.7), development of pneumonia (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.4), and pain (RR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.5-4.8) compared with Black individuals without SCD.

Does sickle cell disease increase the risk of serious COVID-19 disease?

People with sickle cell disease face 4 times as much risk of hospitalization and twice as much risk of dying from COVID-19, according to a big-data analysis from the United Kingdom.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective for people with sickle cell disease?

Yes. All COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. are safe for people with sickle cell disease.

Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

What are some exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some people may be at risk for an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. This is referred to as a medical exemption. Some people may decline vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. This is referred to as a religious exemption.

Are people with autoimmune diseases considered high risk for COVID-19?

Researchers have reported higher rates of severe COVID-19 and death in people with autoimmune disease than in the general population. It is unclear whether this is attributable to the autoimmune disease, the immunosuppressive medications taken to treat it, or both.

Who should not take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (such as polyethylene glycol), you should not get this vaccine. If you had a severe allergic reaction after getting a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get another dose of an mRNA vaccine.

What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?

It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.

How do you know if you are allergic to the COVID-19 vaccine?

An immediate allergic reaction happens within 4 hours after getting vaccinated and could include symptoms such as hives, swelling, and wheezing (respiratory distress).

Can taking immunosuppressants increase my chances of getting COVID-19?

And medicines called immunosuppressants may make you more likely to have serious complications from the virus, as can your autoimmune disorder itself

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for everyone?

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Is it safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have chronic liver disease?

Patients with chronic liver disease can receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to them. Although the immunogenicity of vaccines has not been fully described in this population, vaccination has been associated with lower risk of COVID-19 in patients with cirrhosis.

Can taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) before the COVID-19 vaccine reduce its effectiveness?

Because taking over-the-counter painkillers before getting vaccinated may reduce the responsiveness of your immune system and therefore weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine, the CDC does not recommend taking Tylenol or ibuprofen before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

What pain medication can I take after the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control says that you can take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen (like Advil), aspirin, antihistamines or acetaminophen (like Tylenol), if you have side effects after getting vaccinated for Covid. As with any medication, the CDC recommends talking to your doctor first.

What to do if you get an allergic reaction from the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination provider site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.

How soon does anaphylaxis happen after COVID-19 vaccine?

Symptoms of anaphylaxis often occur within 15-30 minutes of vaccination, though it can sometimes take several hours for symptoms to appear.

COVID 19 and Sickle Cell Disease