Filenews 20 March 2021
Vaccination against the infection caused by the new coronavirus is the only way to control the pandemic, since many refuse to stick to the necessary measures.
However, as mentioned in an article published in iatropedia.gr, there are some medical operations, treatments and medications that need good planning before you get the vaccine.
Dr. Neha Vyas, assistant professor of Family Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, explains what we need to know.
What applies to chronic diseases
According to Dr Vyas, medicines given for common chronic conditions do not seem to pose a problem.
These include, for example:
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Asthma
"Studies on mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) included a large number of chronic disease sufferers. There was no interaction," he explains.
"If you suffer from hypertension or other common health problems, this will reassure you. Therefore, do not change your routine because you are going to get the vaccine against the infection caused by the coronavirus."
But if you want to feel even more confident, consult your doctor, he adds.
This is even more true for sufferers of certain chronic diseases.
"Patients with cancer, immunosuppression or rheumatic diseases should talk to their doctor first," he says.
"Under no circumstances should they change or delay their treatment alone. He needs to tell them when it's safe to get the tyrone vaccine, because every rule has exceptions."
Medications for pain and allergies
But there are some medicines that require a lot of attention.
Steroids (cortisone) are one such case.
If you're already taking them for a chronic condition, there's nothing to worry about.
But if you are considering injecting steroids, Dr Vyas recommends postponing them for the period after the vaccination has been completed.
"If you plan to start steroid therapy and it is possible to postpone it, it is a good time to discuss it with your treating physician," he recommends.
"If, for example, you need to do steroid injections for back pain, it is a good thing to wait about 2 weeks after completion of vaccination. However, you and your doctor must weigh the pros and against postponement. If, for example, the pain is unbearable and you cannot walk, you should probably do them immediately."
What you definitely shouldn't do is take some medications preventively before the vaccine.
You may be tempted to take aspirin, ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory painkiller, so you don't get hurt after the vaccine.
Or you may want to take an antihistamine as a precaution for any allergic reaction. Don't do it, don't do it.
Preventive taking of such drugs can do more harm than good, the expert warns.
This is because it can dampen the immune response to the vaccine.
If it hurts, then take a painkiller.
And if you show symptoms of allergy, they'll help you at the vaccination centre.
What to watch out for with other vaccines
There are currently insufficient data on the safety and efficacy of coronavirus vaccines when administered together with other vaccines.
If you are going to get the vaccine for shingles or another disease, the U.S. Federal Centres for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) generally recommends that 14 days elapse between vaccines.
But there are also some exceptions.
"If you press a nail and need an antitetanic serum or vaccine, of course you will," says Dr Vyas.
"Even two days have passed since the coronavirus vaccine, you cannot delay the antitetanate. The same applies to rabies or if there is a measles outbreak in the community and everyone needs to be vaccinated. In case of emergency, there is no time to wait."
After the emergency you can continue your vaccination as originally planned, he adds.
Fillers
Last December the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reported that two people experienced facial swelling during the Phase III clinical trial with the Moderna vaccine.
One patient had made filler on the face six months before the vaccine. His face swelled the day after the vaccination.
The second patient had made filler two weeks before the vaccine against the infection caused by the coronavirus.
The swelling occurred two days after his vaccination.
There was a third patient who had filler on the lips and they swelled two days after the vaccine.
It was not known how long it had elapsed between cosmetic micro-intervention and vaccination.
The general recommendation now is to schedule infusions of fillers two weeks before or after the vaccine, says Dr Vyas.
And an examination
Mammography is an examination that needs careful planning.
Recent data have shown that both mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) may have as a side effect swelling in the lymph nodes of the armpit.
This has been observed in some patients mainly on the side of the body where the vaccine was made.
In several cases this swelling was taken as a sign of suspected breast cancer.
For this reason, the American Society of Breast Imaging recommends that mammography be done as follows:
Before the first dose of the vaccine against the infection caused by coronavirus.
And 4-6 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine, if there's no problem waiting.
Source: in.gr
