Should I get vaccinated?
Diabetes Mellitus
Q: How do I know if I am in stable condition? If I am stable but complications occur, can I receive the vaccination?
A: The conditions depend on the changes in symptoms and in dosage of medicine taking. Even if the blood glucose level of the patients remains high, or their complications exist for a sustained period of time, they are considered stable and eligible for vaccination so long as the symptoms show no significant changes. However, if there is a recent rise in indices such as blood pressure, blood glucose level, blood lipid level, diabetic retinopathy or foamy urine, their conditions will be deemed unstable. Such symptoms should be treated with care before vaccination.
(Source: Dr Jenny Leung, Chairman of HA Central Committee on Diabetic Service and Dr Choi Cheung-hei, Chairman of HA Diabetic Service Quality Assurance Sub-committee)
A: The conditions depend on the changes in symptoms and in dosage of medicine taking. Even if the blood glucose level of the patients remains high, or their complications exist for a sustained period of time, they are considered stable and eligible for vaccination so long as the symptoms show no significant changes. However, if there is a recent rise in indices such as blood pressure, blood glucose level, blood lipid level, diabetic retinopathy or foamy urine, their conditions will be deemed unstable. Such symptoms should be treated with care before vaccination.
(Source: Dr Jenny Leung, Chairman of HA Central Committee on Diabetic Service and Dr Choi Cheung-hei, Chairman of HA Diabetic Service Quality Assurance Sub-committee)
Stroke and Heart Diseases
Q: I had experienced stroke before. When should I be vaccinated? Can patients with an history of haemorrhagic stroke or ischaemic stroke be vaccinated?
A: Patients may remain in unstable condition one to three months after experiencing a stroke. They can be vaccinated as soon as their conditions (such as blood pressure) became stabilised. The same suggestion applies to both types of stroke patients.
Q: Can patients with heart diseases be vaccinated?
A: Most patients with no symptoms are eligible for vaccination. Some symptoms indicate deterioration, such as pain or tightness in chest, shortness of breath, vomiting or dizziness. If patients have these symptoms or any increase in dosage of medication, they should consult doctor before vaccination. If patients have undergone heart surgery in the past three to six months, such as the primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the coronary artery bypass graft surgery or catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, vaccination is not recommended.
(Source: Dr Fong Wing-chi, Chairman of HA Central Committee on Stroke Service and Dr Michael Lee, Chairman of HA Central Committee on Cardiac Service)
A: Patients may remain in unstable condition one to three months after experiencing a stroke. They can be vaccinated as soon as their conditions (such as blood pressure) became stabilised. The same suggestion applies to both types of stroke patients.
Q: Can patients with heart diseases be vaccinated?
A: Most patients with no symptoms are eligible for vaccination. Some symptoms indicate deterioration, such as pain or tightness in chest, shortness of breath, vomiting or dizziness. If patients have these symptoms or any increase in dosage of medication, they should consult doctor before vaccination. If patients have undergone heart surgery in the past three to six months, such as the primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the coronary artery bypass graft surgery or catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, vaccination is not recommended.
(Source: Dr Fong Wing-chi, Chairman of HA Central Committee on Stroke Service and Dr Michael Lee, Chairman of HA Central Committee on Cardiac Service)
Autoimmune Disease and Allergies
Q: I have severe eczema. Can I be vaccinated? Will the eczema or hives be induced after the vaccination?
A: Most patients with allergies can be vaccinated. Most cases of eczema or hives are caused by primary autoimmune disorders, and are not considered as allergies. Most patients with severe eczema will not have adverse reactions after vaccination. However, there are three types of patients who should consult the doctors before vaccination: first are those who are suspected to have allergic reactions after receiving the first jab; second are those who had anaphylactic reactions or history of severe allergic reactions; and third are those who had severe and acute allergic reactions to various food or medicines.
(Source: Professor Lau Chak-sing, Chair of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of Department of Medicine of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong and Dr Philip Li, Immunology and Allergy and Clinical Assistant Professor of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong)
A: Most patients with allergies can be vaccinated. Most cases of eczema or hives are caused by primary autoimmune disorders, and are not considered as allergies. Most patients with severe eczema will not have adverse reactions after vaccination. However, there are three types of patients who should consult the doctors before vaccination: first are those who are suspected to have allergic reactions after receiving the first jab; second are those who had anaphylactic reactions or history of severe allergic reactions; and third are those who had severe and acute allergic reactions to various food or medicines.
(Source: Professor Lau Chak-sing, Chair of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of Department of Medicine of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong and Dr Philip Li, Immunology and Allergy and Clinical Assistant Professor of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Q: Do COVID-19 vaccines bring any side effects to pregnant women? Can mothers be vaccinated soon after labour or while breastfeeding?
A: Pregnant women can always receive vaccinations, such as the seasonal influenza vaccines and the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines. In the US, around 90,000 pregnant women have received the COVID-19 vaccines and so far no safety concerns (such as severe side effects or increasing cases of miscarriage) have been identified. This shows that the vaccines are safe to pregnant women. Since pregnant women can receive the pertussis vaccine after the 26 weeks of gestation, they are recommended to receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccines first, then the pertussis vaccine after at least 14 days. Mothers can be vaccinated soon after labour or while breastfeeding.
(Source: Dr Au Yeung Kam-chuen, Chairman of the HA Coordinating Committee in Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
A: Pregnant women can always receive vaccinations, such as the seasonal influenza vaccines and the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines. In the US, around 90,000 pregnant women have received the COVID-19 vaccines and so far no safety concerns (such as severe side effects or increasing cases of miscarriage) have been identified. This shows that the vaccines are safe to pregnant women. Since pregnant women can receive the pertussis vaccine after the 26 weeks of gestation, they are recommended to receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccines first, then the pertussis vaccine after at least 14 days. Mothers can be vaccinated soon after labour or while breastfeeding.
(Source: Dr Au Yeung Kam-chuen, Chairman of the HA Coordinating Committee in Obstetrics & Gynaecology)