Contrary to the belief that it is risky for those with high blood pressure to get vaccinated, a vaccine expert explained that these people need more to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Kung sila ay dati nang may altapresyon, hindi naman bawal na magkaroon ka ng bakuna. Puwede kang mabakunahan. In fact, kailangan nilang magpabakuna kasi iyong mga may altapresyon iyong may malaking danger o risk na magkaroon ng severe COVID ‘pag sila ay na-expose,” explained Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of Philippine Foundation for Vaccination.
He said that before going to vaccination centers, people with hypertension need to have their blood pressure below 140, without experiencing symptoms such as chest pain and headaches.
In addition, they will take their medicine before getting vaccinated and consult their doctor if their blood pressure remains high.
People with high blood pressure are under the “A3,” or third priority group of the government who should be vaccinated. This group includes people with diabetes, asthma, kidney and liver diseases.
The Department of Health (DOH) announced last week that vaccination sites are no longer required to get the vital signs of individuals getting inoculated against COVID-19.
Individuals with hypertension can get vaccinated vs COVID-19
“We issued a policy regarding this matter that vital signs screening should not be included anymore as part of our process,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press conference.
“We issued a policy regarding this matter that vital signs screening should not be included anymore as part of our process,” she said.
“Ang kailangan lang bantayan ng ating healthcare workers ay yung talagang may established na hypertension at talagang nakikita natin na meron silang organ damage,” she said.
(Health workers only need to monitor those with established hypertension and those who have organ damage.)
The DOH official said a separate lane should be dedicated for individuals who needed to be closely observed due to their medical history.
“Hopefully ipatupad na ng local governments natin para maibsan yung pagpila at paghaba ng pila at pag-aantay ng mga kababayan natin sa vaccination sites,” Vergeire said.
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