The increased danger for people with diabetes of the new strain "Omicron" COVID-19 is noted by the chief freelance endocrinologist of the Lipetsk region Gorbunova Natalia Petrovna

The current epidemiological situation with the spread of coronavirus infection, including the new strain "Omicron" in the country and the world continues to be tense. In these circumstances, the need for early vaccination of citizens, and especially people from high-risk groups, is a key factor in the fight against the pandemic. First of all, those who suffer from the most dangerous chronic diseases with COVID-19 - endocrinological, oncological and others.

Mass vaccination and revaccination carried out in the shortest possible time determines the effectiveness of measures to prevent the spread of infection, and the presence of chronic diseases is not a restriction to vaccination – on the contrary, they can be considered a priority indication for it.

Patients with diseases of the endocrine system are at risk, they have an increased risk of hospitalization, complications and adverse outcomes due to coronavirus infection. Diabetes mellitus is the second most common concomitant pathology in COVID-19, in which the probability of adverse outcomes increases 2-3 times. At the same time, the combination of diabetes, obesity and hypertension increases the risk of death by almost 5 times.

Vaccination is necessarily indicated for adult patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity, and patients with other endocrine diseases. Priority for vaccination are persons suffering from diabetes mellitus with comorbid cardiovascular diseases.

If the patient is not in a state of decompensation for diabetes, he has no obvious contraindications, such as hypersensitivity or exacerbation of chronic diseases, allergic reactions in the anamnesis, it is necessary to get vaccinated.

The world experience of vaccination of patients with endocrine diseases shows sufficient efficacy and safety.