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MedTvoiLokony editors receive messages from concerned readers who have had infectious diseases in the past. They ask whether a history of mumps, smallpox or measles could somehow affect the effectiveness of the vaccine against the coronavirus. The issue was explained by Dr. Lidia Stopyra, head of the Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics Department at the Żeromski Hospital in Krakow.
- People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 undergo medical qualification first
- The doctor disqualifies patients who are just having an infection – but this is only a temporary disqualification – explains Stopyra
- It takes some time after suffering from an infectious disease for the most optimal administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The doctor also makes this decision
- Do you want to live longer? Make a simple test and find out how!
- You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage.
Mumps, rubella, measles and chicken pox are infectious childhood diseases. Among Poles of all ages there will be a large percentage of “convalescents” – people who have fallen ill with one of them. The letters we receive from MedTvoiLokony readers show that many people have doubts as to whether they should be vaccinated against COVID-19 after having had mumps or rubella.
– We associate mumps and rubella unequivocally as infectious diseases, but you really have to remember that every cold or infection, of which there are many, are also infectious diseases. After all, we get infected with them – explains Dr. Lidia Stopyra, a specialist in infectious diseases, in an interview with Medonet. – They in the beginning mobilize the immune system because the body starts to fight. Later, however, there may be a temporary state of exhaustion following infection. But certainly, a person who has had an infectious disease can and should be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine and polio
Among the letters to the editor there was also a question about polio in the context of vaccination against the coronavirus. Here, too, the expert’s answer is unequivocal – having polio does not affect the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, and if it does, it may improve it slightly. However, it is absolutely not a contraindication to administering the preparation.
– Having an infectious disease is not a contraindication to vaccination, be it for COVID-19 or, for example, for influenza. Especially in the case of polio. If anyone had any, it must have been before 1958, so before polio vaccination was introduced. And this is a distant past – adds Dr. Stopyra.
When do infectious diseases disqualify those willing to vaccinate?
Vaccination is a separate issue when a person is just undergoing an infection.
“Acute infectious disease is not the best time to get vaccinated,” explains Dr. Stopyra. – When administering the preparation, we look for the optimal moment, not only due to the risk of undesirable post-vaccination reactions, but also so that the vaccinated person develops the best possible immunity. Therefore, we disqualify people with an infection, but only temporarily. When her immune parameters are good, she will be vaccinated.
The time that elapses from infection to vaccination is determined by the doctor each time.
– It depends on what the infection was, what happened in a given person, whether the patient is chronically ill or is taking any medications. This is what the doctor’s qualification is for – to choose the optimal vaccination time depending on the patient’s health condition – explains Dr. Stopyra. – Currently, with quickly organized mass vaccinations, it is not always possible to choose the exact date of vaccination, so it is even more important to take care of your health.
Also read:
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- The doctor tells you who goes to covid wards most often now
- What to do to “get rid of the plague and get back to normal”? Experts have no doubts
- Coronavirus antibody test from Biedronka – how does it work? We checked
- How do I deal with the side effects of vaccination? [WE EXPLAIN]