Over the last few months, both doctors and patients have asked me several times if it is safe for people with the Factor V Leiden mutation to have the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. At first, I couldn't understand why this question would come up, as there is no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine has any risk of thrombosis. But I presume the concern has come from publicity about the … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and shots – Medsafe report explained.
"I'm not having the vaccine. It kills people", was the uncompromising response from one of my patients when I asked her if she was getting vaccinated. I can't give much more detail of our discussion as consultations are confidential, but the background to her statement goes something like this. She explained that a friend of hers knew of a man who developed a stroke three … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and shots – Vaccine reluctance
Why do some people not want the vaccine? You may wonder how this post is relevant to people with heart disease or clotting problems. And you may have heard enough about people who are opposed to mandates and vaccination. But if you have heart problems or a history of blood clots, then vaccination should be uppermost in your mind. Your biggest risk comes from the … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and shots – Protecting the vulnerable
Part of my job is to provide Haematology services to New Plymouth Base Hospital. I visit every month to catch up with my patients. Risks of the immunosuppressed The majority of the people I see have serious blood disorders and are immunosuppressed. That means that their immune system has been damaged by their disease or chemotherapy.This causes two significant problems … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and shots – Heart Disease
I tell all my patients, "You don't want to get COVID". This is especially true if you have heart disease. Soon after the pandemic started, it became clear that people with heart problems were more likely to end up in hospital and get severe disease. So what is the risk, and why is the disease worse? Risk factors Most people think of COVID as a flu-like illness … [Read more...]