Why should obese people get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Recently, the American Obesity Association urged all obese people to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. So, why should obese people get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The danger when COVID-19 hits obese people

Currently, the Delta variant, a strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus, with a stronger virulence is raging, but people are hesitant to vaccinate and do not wear masks. These viruses are spreading rapidly, especially among unvaccinated people. 99.5% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States are among unvaccinated people. Therefore, people who are obese, who are at high risk for the disease, should get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Dr. "We want to end this pandemic by getting vaccinated," said Catherine Kotz, president of the American Obesity Association. As new variants of the virus with more transmissibility emerge, vaccination is needed more than ever.

Obese patients are often hesitant or shy to seek medical care because of weight stigma, experts say. For now, they are hesitant to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, people who are obese if they have COVID-19 are more susceptible to severe illness, even higher mortality. They need to be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) and need mechanical ventilation. If they are lucky enough to be healed, they are also more likely to have a longer-lasting COVID-19 illness with more persistent symptoms.

Obesity is not only associated with more than 200 different diseases and complications (including cardiovascular disease and diabetes) but is also one of the strongest factors that increase the risk of dying from COVID-19 (less than age factor).

Obese people should get vaccinated early

According to GS. Kotz, University of Minnesota: Clinical trials of three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) have all shown that they are effective in people with or not obese. The risk of COVID-19 in unvaccinated obese people is great. Therefore, obese patients should get vaccinated as soon as possible because any vaccine significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19 and its severity.

Diet and lifestyle recommendations for obese patients do not yet have strong evidence for the prevention of COVID-19. Therefore, the American Obesity Association recommends:

• People who are obese should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

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• There is strong evidence for the efficacy of vaccines in patients with or without obesity.

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• All three FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are similarly effective.

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