GIs should educate patients about safety, effectiveness of COVID vaccines
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Gastroenterologists should feel comfortable educating patients that appropriate steps are being taken to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, according to a report published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
“There were no shortcuts in COVID-19 vaccine development and providers should be familiar with vaccine approval and development, that way they feel comfortable educating patients and addressing their concerns,” Freddy Caldera, DO, MS, from the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, told Healio Gastroenterology.
Caldera said physicians should listen to patients who are hesitant about the vaccine and do not dismiss their concerns.
“Take time to address concerns and answer questions about the vaccine,” he said.
Caldera said the vaccine was developed and found to be safe and effective before being used in general population.
Gastroenterologists need to know the following about the COVID-19 vaccines currently under FDA emergency use authorization:
- Vaccine development was accelerated; however, no steps in typical vaccine development were skipped.
- The COVID-19 vaccine should be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days either before or after administration with any other vaccine.
- Individuals with prior SARS- CoV-2 infection or exposure should be vaccinated despite history of prior infection.
- Individuals with current infection should be deferred.
- People trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.
- Pregnant people who are part of an eligible group should receive the vaccine.
- Although there are currently no data on vaccine safety in lactating people, the vaccine should not be a risk to the breast-feeing infant.
- Immunocompromised patients should receive counseling about unknown vaccine safety profile and effectiveness in immunocompromised populations, and potential for reduced immune responses.
- Take precautions for individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable.
"I recommend patients get the vaccine when it’s their turn to get one,” Caldera said.
Collapse
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts