Questions: What are considerations around older adults with cardiovascular disease in COVID-19 pandemic? How effective have the vaccines proven in such populations?

Dr Nishith Chandra’s reply

It has been seen, that older people are more susceptible to COVID, because of their poor immune system. In addition if they are having cardiovascular diseases, that puts them even greater risk for developing cardiac complications, like heart attacks, heart failure, myocarditis & pulmonary embolism. It's because of this reason, the elderly population with comorbidites, should be protected first in any vaccination programme. The efficacy of vaccines is similar to those found in other age groups.

EXPLAINER

Based on epidemiological evidence to date defining the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 people with cardiovascular diseases are at a risk of getting more Complications, hence are prioritised for Covid vaccination . American college of cardiology statement on vaccine prioritization emphasize that those with relatively higher-risk CV conditions should prioritize their receipt of the vaccine. Accordingly, their care teams should encourage prompt vaccination and proactively address any barriers or hesitancy that the patient may be facing.

Patients with CV risk factors and disease are at variable risk for adverse outcomes in COVID-19 based on the severity of their comorbidities. Patients with more advanced CVD are at higher risk compared with those with well-controlled CV conditions (36,66). For example, those patients with poorly controlled hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes, same is true for heart disease . Those patient who are high risk and have severe heart conditions should take vaccine at a priority .