I have hepatitis C. Is it safe for me to take the COVID-19 vaccine?
I am 64 yr old female and have chronic hepatitis C at stage 1-2 mild damage. My questions are regarding the Covid-19 vaccine.
Am I considered immunocompromised?Is the vaccine safe for me to take? Or are there serious risks for severe side effects to me?Also if I did take vaccine, would it be still 95% effective for me as it is for everyone else? Thank you.
Hi
, thank you for sharing your questions with us. There's still much we don't know about the COVID-19 vaccine when it comes to people living with liver disease and I'll do my best to respond your questions.
Living with hep C doesn't cause someone to become immunocompromised. However, having more extensive liver damage or cirrhosis can create serious health risks.
There isn't enough data to understand the safety and risks involved for hep C patients at this moment. In this recent article from The Lancet, they mention that:
"Despite the inclusion of nearly 100 000 participants in these trials, data for patients with liver disease are extremely limited (panel). In the Pfizer vaccination study, 217 (0·6%) of 37 706 participants had liver disease, and only three (<0·1%) had moderate to severe liver disease. A similarly low proportion of patients with liver disease were included in the Moderna trial (196 [0·6%] of 30 351)."
I recommend that you follow-up with a doctor or hepatologist with your concerns about the vaccine. They will be able to provide you guidance given your current health and state of vaccines. Let us know what other questions you have!
Best,
Matt (Team Member)
