COVID-19 and Sickle Cell, How to Protect Yourself
More Programs and Publications Featuring Dr. Seethal Jacob
In this program:
How can sickle cell patients protect themselves against COVID-19 infection? Watch as expert Dr. Seethal Jacob shares scientific data about those being hospitalized for COVID-19 infection and what sickle cell patients and loved ones can do to protect against COVID complications.
Transcript
Leo Hesse:
This is something that's top of mind for everyone, COVID-19, the variants, what advice, what would you say to any sickle patient asking you today, “What can they do to protect themselves against COVID and its variants?”I know we're at the delta variant right now, I'm sure there'll be more to come.
Dr. Seethal Jacob:
Yes, absolutely. The number one thing, and I tell this to our patients and families as well, is to go and get your vaccine if you haven't yet. I know that there's been a lot of news about individuals who are vaccinated who have gotten infected with COVID as well. But actually when you look at the numbers, by and far, the vast majority of individuals who are getting infected right now and being hospitalized are those who have not been vaccinated. Now, there are exceptions to that, there are individuals who have had an organ transplant, for example, who have not been able to mount the response to the vaccine that is necessary, and as a result of that have gotten infected and exceptions similar to that. But really the majority of patients who are infected and who are very sick from it in the hospital are those that haven't been vaccinated. And we know from studies that we did with the initial wave of COVID here in the U.S. and in the UK, that individuals with sickle cell disease can be at higher risk for complications with COVID-19. So being vaccinated yourself, if you're of age, encouraging your family members to be vaccinated, it's really the number one way to keep yourself out of the hospital as a result of a COVID infection.
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