Tag: <span>Vaccines</span>

So I just got my COVID-19 vaccineimg 20210419 184439 2
Published Mon, 19th Apr 2021

So I just got my COVID-19 vaccine

I was finishing up work on Monday this week, and I got a call from the nurse from my GP’s surgery. They had a spare dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and asked if I could come in straight away.

Apparently I was already on their list of high-risk patients because of my medical history (cancer / obesity), and was due to be invited to get the vaccine later in the week anyway. But because they had a spare dose, and I live very close to the GP surgery, they decided to call me in early.

I was delighted to get call, and accepted straight away, and 5 minutes later I was stood outside the surgery waiting to be called in.

It was the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine that I received. It was administered very quickly and painlessly. I was then asked to stay in the waiting room for 15 minutes (for observation) before heading home.

I also have a provisional appointment for my second dose in 4 week’s time, but that might change if the government decide to extend the time period between doses, to allow for more people to receive their first dose.

I feel very lucky to have received the vaccine early. At the moment, the Irish health authorities are only vaccinating people aged 65-69 and also those judged to be at very high risk because of their medical status. Other adults under 65 face a wait of weeks – if not months – until they can avail of their first shot.

Medication Surgery

COVID-19 Vaccination Vaccines

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Obesity is a risk factor for COVID-19Coronavirus 5088470 1920
Published Wed, 16th Dec 2020

Obesity is a risk factor for COVID-19

It’s well reported in the media that older people are more at risk from serious complications if they catch COVID-19. However researchers are have also identified that obese people are also a high-risk group.

The reason that obese people are at such a high risk is because they are more likely to have other health concerns such as: asthma, sleep apnoea, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and an impaired immune system.

These health conditions make it more difficult to fight the coronavirus, and as such a high number of those admitted to intensive care are obese.

The Irish government have acknowledged this increased risk for overweight people, and it’s reflected in their plans for rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here’s the current order for vaccine rollout:

Irish Government Covid Vaccine Allocation Groups
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/

The seventh group includes people with a whole range of conditions, which includes obese people with a body mass index of over 40.

That puts morbidly obese people in the queue right after older people and health care workers.

Mental health

In addition to the physical risks from being obese, there’s evidence that obese people have also experienced a negative psychological impact from the COVID-19 virus.

A study has found that obese people during the pandemic have experienced:

  • A negative effect on their diet. When furloughed or working from home, people have found that they eat more and make poorer choices about what to eat – primarily because of the proximity of food.
  • A negative effect on their exercise. With gyms and swimming pools closed, it’s have a big impact upon people’s opportunity to exercise.
  • An increased sense of fear, anxiety and stress. Some obese people are terrified to go outside, as they realise they are at high risk if they catch the virus.

All of these can lead to a poor mental and physical health – as often the two are deeply interconnected.

Sickness Surgery

COVID-19 Mental Health Obesity Vaccines

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