COVID Vaccines- A case of need for COPD Patients

Every year millions of adults, children, and the elderly fall sick due to diseases that are easily preventable with timely vaccination. Many need hospitalizations, and some even die due to these easily preventable diseases. Those suffering from chronic conditions such as COPD are often at a much higher risk of developing severe complications from these vaccine-preventable diseases. Getting vaccinations in time is an excellent way to stay healthy.

About COVID-19 and COPD

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive lung disease punctuated with intermittent periods of exacerbations. These exacerbations or flare-ups worsen the impact on lung function rapidly. Patients with COPD have shortness of breath and cough. Vaccines including Tdap, Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Zoster are essential for those suffering from COPD.

The novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is a highly contagious, fast-spreading viral disease that quickly overwhelms your respiratory system. Those suffering from existing medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, COPD, or cardiovascular disease are especially at risk and can develop a severe form of the COVID-19 disease, causing massive, irreversible respiratory failure and even death.

How is the COVID-19 virus transmitted?

The transmission of this virus is primarily through the respiratory system. Sufferers of COPD must know how the infection spreads to prevent exposure. This includes:

• Through the air, when an infected person around you coughs or sneezes.
• Through personal contact, if you shake hands with or hug an infected individual.
• Touching items or objects that are infected or sneezed upon by infected individuals.

Why are COPD patients at a higher risk than others?

The coronavirus primarily affects the respiratory system and causes respiratory distress to those suffering from advanced stages of the disease. If you are suffering from COPD, your respiratory system is already compromised, making you highly susceptible.

What are vaccines? How do they help in controlling infections?

Vaccines are a weakened, killed, or live disease-causing virus or proteins or toxins from the organism that stimulates the body’s adaptive immunity. Vaccines help to prevent sickness from an infectious disease and prevent you from future infections.

According to Purvi Parikh, MD—an adult and pediatric allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network and co-investigator with COVID-19 vaccine trials for Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sanofi— “I would recommend obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to them — especially for those who overlap with COPD or have other high-risk conditions such as hypertension or diabetes or obesity. Given the propensity for exacerbations with respiratory viruses in patients with asthma, I highly recommend vaccination and mitigation factors before and after the vaccine such as masking, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing.”

Is a vaccine available for COVID-19?

Fortunately, yes. After the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit, organizations and countries worldwide rallied together to quickly build a vaccine for this disease that has caused millions of deaths and brought about a global recession. Vaccines by companies such as Moderna, Pfizer, Oxford-Astra Zeneca, and Sputnik V have helped people develop some degree of immunity to the novel coronavirus and its variants. These vaccines range from 70-90% in efficacy from the first dose onwards. They help build immunity and protect patients from severe forms of coronavirus disease.

Are these vaccines safe?

Absolutely. These vaccines have been extensively tested and endorsed by countries worldwide as a quick, fast, and safe way to ensure resistance to the disease. Additionally, this will also help in the resumption of near-normalcy in affected regions to boost the economy.

Are these vaccines also safe for patients suffering from COPD?

Definitely, these vaccines will help patients suffering from COPD to fight the coronavirus infection better. If infected, they will not contract more severe forms of the disease, which will reduce the mortality rates in COPD patients even further. Vaccines are one of the safest ways to stay protected from COVID-19.

Is a vaccine available in my area?

It would be best to contact your local health department or your physician for more information. Accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information is constantly being updated by governments and health centers worldwide.

Am I eligible for a vaccine?

Please contact your physician or local health department for more information about vaccine eligibility and waiting lists. Generally, those suffering from COPD are in the first set of people getting vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated yet, please contact your doctor and get one immediately.

What can COPD patients do to avoid infection until they get the vaccine?

Here is what you can do to avoid infection and stay healthy during the pandemic:

• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Establish a hygiene regimen for those who come in and avoid physical contact.
• Ensure home delivery of essentials and maintain a month’s supply of groceries and medication.
• Sanitize or wash all the supplies you get.
• Check your oxygen cylinders, your oxygen concentrator, and sanitize the devices you use daily.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Wear a mask.
• Avoid contact with those who are sick.
• Quit smoking if you have not already.
• Cough into your elbow or cover your sneeze or cough with your hands.

If you are suffering from COPD and live in an area with high precedence of COVID-19 infections, stay home, stay safe, and follow protocols that help you reduce exposure. At Sanrai, we care for your well-being and ensure that you are well-informed to take care of the things that may affect you during the pandemic. We are here to help you with any problems that may occur due to COPD assist device malfunctions or service and spares.

Sanrai is a leading and experienced supplier of oxygen concentrators to various industry verticals and provides outstanding after-sales support and warranty services. Contact Sanrai today for more information about how you can meet your specific oxygen therapy requirements.