Covid-19 has had a profound effect on our planet and how we operate. It has led to lockdowns across the world, social distancing, the wearing of masks and so much more. Many people have hardly seen their family and friends throughout the latter part of 2020 and staying home every day has become the norm.
Thankfully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There have been a few vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use by the FDA. They have been tested in clinical trials and have been deemed safe for normal individuals. Vaccines play an incredibly important role when it comes to helping individuals avoid becoming infected by potentially harmful viruses.
But what about those who have suppressed immune systems? Should they get vaccines (Covid or otherwise)? Well, that is exactly what this article is going to take a closer look at. So without any further ado, read on to learn more about whether it is safe for those with suppressed immune systems to get a vaccine.
Knowing How Vaccines Work
Before we look at whether or not these individuals should get a vaccine, let’s take a closer look at how vaccines work. In many cases, a vaccine will contain a weakened version of a virus or some component of it. This is introduced into your body, and your body responds by creating antibodies to fight it off. They remember how to do this, so the next time your body comes in contact with the virus, it can fight it off with ease.
While this is among the most common types of vaccines, it isn’t the only one. For example, instead of containing a component or the virus or weakened organism, the Covid-19 vaccine works differently. It includes a small slice of the genetic code of the virus in the form of mRNA. This mRNA gives instructions to your cells on how to build the spike protein that allows the virus to be infectious.
Once your body knows these instructions, it will make antibodies that can fight off the virus before it can infect you. If you want to learn more about the Covid-19 vaccine, be sure to check out this link: https://www.healthtap.com/coronavirus-vaccines-safety/
Is it Safe For Those With Suppressed Immune Systems?
Now that you know a bit more about how vaccines work, we can finally answer the question of whether these individuals should get a vaccine. The answer is, it depends. If the vaccine introduced a live weakened organism or version of the virus, then the answer can often be a no. Even the weakened version/component of the virus could potentially lead to health issues for those who don’t have the strongest immune systems.
Even still, no two people and their immune system is the same. Some with a weakened immune system might respond fine to a vaccine, while others could experience a serious side effect.
Now, what about the Covid-19 virus? It doesn’t contain the virus at all, so it should be safe right? Well, possibly. While the Covid-19 vaccine won’t give you the virus, that doesn’t always mean it’s safe for those with compromised immune systems.
This is because these vaccines are so new. We don’t quite know the reaction they might have when combined with some of the drugs that those with a suppressed immune system might have to take.
In general, the answer to these questions varies on a case-by-case basis. If you have a suppressed immune system and are thinking about getting a vaccine of any kind, it’s a good idea to reach out to a trusted and educated healthcare professional.
In conclusion, the answer to the question of whether those with suppressed immune systems get a vaccine is that it depends. Some people will be completely okay, while others could find themselves in trouble. As a result, always talk to your doctor or another medical professional beforehand for specific advice.
