Can 'Stem-cell therapy' patients able to take the Covid-19 vaccine?

CNI Desk: The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc globally in the last year and a half, and the vaccination drive has come as a relief to the population.

Patients with systemic conditions, especially long-standing cases, are generally considered to be at high risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection and associated mortality, due to the pre-existing disease burden.

 

Stem cell therapies are indicated for patients with several health conditions, wherein treatments need to target the immune system dysfunction, reduce systemic inflammation, etc., to increase the probability of survival and improve the quality of life.

The Indian Health Ministry has clearly indicated that recipients or those on the wait-list for stem cell therapies can take the vaccination.

 “Furthermore, care should be taken during the interval period between the two doses of the vaccination and for few weeks after the second dose, when the immune system is responding to the vaccination,” Dr Mahajan said.

 “There is no need for stem cell therapy patients to fear the after-effects of the vaccination.” he suggested.