Who should not be vaccinated against Covid-19?

On July 15, 2021, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 3445/QD-BYT on amending, supplementing, and temporarily guiding pre-vaccination screening for Covid-19 vaccines. According to this guideline, vaccination subjects are divided into 3 groups: Contraindications, delays, and transfers for vaccination.

Contraindicated group (not to be injected)

According to the Ministry of Health's instructions, people with a history of grade 2 or higher anaphylactic shock with symptoms such as hives, rapid onset of angioedema, rapid shallow breathing, chest tightness, hoarseness, runny nose, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blood pressure that has not dropped or increased, rapid or irregular heartbeat...; grade 3 anaphylactic shock with manifestations in many organs with a more severe level such as laryngeal stridor, laryngeal edema, rapid breathing, wheezing, cyanosis, breathing disorders, disorders of consciousness such as restlessness, coma, convulsions, sphincter disorders and finally shock, rapid pulse, hypotension; grade 4 anaphylactic shock with manifestations of respiratory arrest, circulatory arrest, possible death if not treated promptly... are people who absolutely should not be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Delayed group (not vaccinated this time or vaccinated later)

The group that delays getting vaccinated against Covid-19 includes those who have had Covid-19 within the past 6 months (with antibodies against Covid-19 in their blood); have been vaccinated against Covid-19 within the past 14 days (with antibodies against the virus); people with chronic diseases that are progressing severely (especially underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.); people with severely impaired immune response such as late-stage cancer, splenectomy, taking immunosuppressants, high-dose corticosteroids (> 2mmg/kg/7 days); people with acute illnesses; pregnant or lactating women.

Vaccination transfer group (get vaccinated at the hospital and have to be monitored at the hospital)

People with a history of allergies to any allergen (using allergy medication, food, pollen, seasonal allergies, allergies to animal hair, etc.); have underlying chronic diseases that are being treated stably; history of blood clotting/hemostatic disorders/using anticoagulants; over 65 years old; have abnormalities in vital signs: rapid pulse over 100 beats per minute, blood pressure higher or lower than normal, fast or slow breathing, high temperature over 37.5 C... are in the group that needs to be transferred for vaccination - get vaccinated at the hospital and must be monitored at the hospital.

Currently, many people have the mentality of choosing and waiting for the vaccines they want. However, in the context of the current complicated and dangerous epidemic, it is advisable to get vaccinated as soon as possible with any vaccine licensed by the State and available locally. Early vaccination will help create community immunity, ensuring safety when living with the epidemic.

MSc. GVC Le Van Duy - Head of Nursing Department, Dai Nam University