Chloe Ramirez
Vaccines have been a topic of discussion and debate for decades. They are biological preparations that provide immunity against a particular disease. While some people argue that vaccines are unsafe and can cause autism, this theory has been debunked by numerous large-scale studies. Vaccines have been proven safe and effective and have saved countless lives. The focus of this discussion is on whether asthma is considered an underlying health condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and if it should be a priority for vaccine distribution. Asthma is a lung disease that disproportionately affects communities of color, and there is concern that the failure to recognize it as an underlying condition contributes to inequitable vaccine distribution. Research suggests that individuals with pre-existing lung conditions are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 illness, and asthma patients should be prioritized for vaccines. However, asthma is not currently on the CDC's list of underlying conditions, impacting access to vaccines for those who need them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does asthma count as an underlying health condition for the COVID-19 vaccine? | Asthma is not currently considered an underlying health condition for the COVID-19 vaccine by the CDC. However, it is recognized that individuals with pre-existing lung conditions, including asthma, are more susceptible to severe COVID-19. |
| Asthma and other vaccines | There is no evidence that vaccines, such as MMR, cause asthma. However, there is some evidence that the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) may be associated with an increased risk of wheezing in children with a history of asthma or wheezing. |
| Asthma and COVID-19 vaccine eligibility | The FDA has approved the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 6 months to 64 years old with at least one underlying health condition, which may include asthma, that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. |
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What You'll Learn
CDC's omission of asthma from the list of underlying conditions
The CDC's omission of asthma from the list of underlying conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 has been a cause for concern for several lawmakers and health professionals. Congressmembers Katherine Clark, Nanette Diaz Barragan, and 38 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote a letter urging the CDC to include moderate-to-severe asthma in its list of underlying medical conditions. They argued that the failure to prioritize this respiratory condition, which disproportionately affects communities of colour, contributes to the inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
The science is clear that individuals with pre-existing lung conditions are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 disease. A nationwide study conducted by Harvard's public health researchers found that fine particulate matter, which causes respiratory illnesses like asthma, increases the risk of dying from COVID-19. The CDC itself has recognised this correlation when it listed current and former smokers of any age as being at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
The omission of asthma from the CDC's list of underlying conditions has significant implications for asthma patients, particularly in states that closely adhere to CDC guidelines. These patients are not considered a priority for vaccine access, which can put them at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This is especially concerning given that the burden of asthma is disproportionately experienced in communities of colour, which already face higher infection, hospitalization, and death rates compared to their white counterparts.
While the CDC has not yet added asthma to its list of underlying conditions, it is important to note that the CDC's list is not exhaustive, and individuals with asthma may still be eligible for additional precautions or priority vaccine access based on their specific circumstances and the recommendations of their healthcare providers. However, the lawmakers' letter highlights the concern that the current omission of asthma from the CDC's list may contribute to the existing inequities in vaccine distribution and health outcomes for communities of colour.
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Inequitable vaccine distribution
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the existing social and health-related inequalities within and between nations. While the development of highly efficacious vaccines has provided a path to address pandemic-associated inequalities, the distribution of these vaccines has been unequal. This unequal distribution is a result of various factors, including institutional and individual factors.
At the institutional level, the fundamental cause theory and diffusion of innovation theory predict that better-resourced individuals and countries will prioritize their access to vaccines, leaving disadvantaged populations unprotected. This has been evident in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, with low vaccination rates persisting in less developed countries, particularly in Africa. The pandemic has also induced new inequalities, with some countries, like Sudan, facing challenges in accessing vaccines due to conflict and the destruction of health facilities.
Individual attitudes also play a role in vaccine inequality. Vaccine hesitancy, lack of awareness, and distrust in government and health services contribute to unequal vaccine distribution within countries. Early results from survey research indicate that education and income are positively associated with vaccine acceptance, highlighting potential socioeconomic disparities in vaccine uptake.
Additionally, the omission of certain medical conditions from vaccine priority lists can contribute to inequitable distribution. For example, asthma, a lung disease that disproportionately impacts communities of color, has not been included in the CDC's list of underlying conditions, denying priority access to asthma patients in states that adhere closely to CDC guidelines. This contributes to existing inequalities, as communities of color already face higher infection, hospitalization, and death rates.
Addressing these inequalities requires understanding the extent of unequal distribution, investigating the main drivers of vaccination rates, and analyzing the relationship between vaccination rates, GDP growth, and COVID-19 incidence. By doing so, we can work towards reducing existing inequalities and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
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Asthma as a lung disease
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects people of all ages. It can develop at any age, and symptoms can disappear as the lungs develop, but they may also reappear later in life. People with asthma have airways that are more sensitive than those of non-asthmatics. When exposed to triggers such as dust, tobacco smoke, or even laughing, the airways can become inflamed and irritated, leading to swelling that narrows the airways and makes it difficult to breathe. This is known as an asthma attack.
During an asthma attack, the insides of the airways swell, and extra mucus is produced, which clogs the airway and further narrows the space for air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles surrounding the airways can also tighten, a condition known as bronchoconstriction, which further restricts breathing. These changes can become permanent if asthma is left untreated or poorly controlled.
Asthma patients are susceptible to severe respiratory infections, and their condition can worsen existing respiratory illnesses. As a result, they are at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. However, asthma is notably absent from the CDC's list of underlying medical conditions. This has led to concerns about inequitable vaccine distribution, as asthma disproportionately affects communities of color, which already face higher infection, hospitalization, and death rates.
The exclusion of asthma from the CDC's list means that asthma patients do not have priority access to vaccines in states that closely adhere to CDC guidelines. This has prompted members of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge the CDC to include moderate-to-severe asthma in its list of underlying medical conditions. They argue that the failure to prioritize this lung disease as a risk factor for severe COVID-19 contributes to unequal vaccine distribution.
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Asthma patients' lack of priority access to vaccines
Asthma is a lung disease that affects over 25 million Americans and disproportionately impacts communities of colour. According to the American Lung Association, almost 11% of Black individuals were estimated to have asthma in 2018, compared to 7.7% of white individuals. Despite this, asthma has been omitted from the CDC's list of underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This has resulted in asthma patients being denied priority access to vaccines in states that closely adhere to CDC guidelines.
The exclusion of asthma from the CDC's list of underlying conditions is concerning, given the wealth of scientific evidence highlighting the increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with pre-existing lung conditions. Fine particulate matter, which causes respiratory illnesses like asthma, has been linked to a heightened risk of mortality from COVID-19 in a nationwide study conducted by Harvard's public health researchers. Furthermore, individuals with moderate-to-severe asthma face greater challenges in fighting off respiratory infections, similar to smokers.
The failure to recognise asthma as a risk factor for severe COVID-19 contributes to inequitable vaccine distribution. Communities of colour, who are already disproportionately affected by asthma, experience higher COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, and death rates compared to their white counterparts. By not prioritising asthma patients for vaccination, health disparities are exacerbated, and vulnerable communities are further marginalised.
While the relationship between vaccines and asthma is complex and evolving, the majority of large-scale research indicates no increased risk associated with vaccination. In fact, certain vaccines, such as the RSV and influenza vaccines, can help prevent asthma exacerbations by protecting against natural infections. Additionally, the MMR vaccine may even offer protection against asthma.
It is crucial to address the inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and ensure that asthma patients are given the priority access they deserve. By recognising asthma as an underlying medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19, health authorities can take a significant step towards mitigating health disparities and protecting vulnerable individuals from the devastating impacts of the disease.
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Communities of colour facing greater infection, hospitalisation, and death rates
Asthma is a lung disease that disproportionately impacts communities of colour. According to the American Lung Association, in 2018, nearly 11% of Black individuals were estimated to have asthma, compared to 7.7% of white individuals. The omission of asthma from the CDC's list of underlying conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 has contributed to the inequitable distribution of vaccines. As a result, asthma patients who live in states that closely adhere to CDC guidelines do not have priority access to vaccines.
Communities of colour already face greater infection, hospitalisation, and death rates from COVID-19 compared to their white counterparts. This is due in part to a greater number of underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and asthma, which are more prevalent in these communities. Additionally, lack of access to testing and healthcare, and poor conditions in public housing that promote the spread of the disease, contribute to the higher rates of infection and death. For example, in Chicago, 70% of COVID-19 fatalities were Black residents, despite them making up less than 30% of the population. Similarly, in New York City, coronavirus patients from the Bronx, which has large Black and Latinx populations, are twice as likely to die from the infection as elsewhere in the city.
The science is clear that individuals with pre-existing lung conditions, such as asthma, are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 disease. A nationwide study conducted by Harvard's public health researchers found that fine particulate matter, which causes respiratory illnesses like asthma, increases the risk of dying from COVID-19. This correlation was recognised by the CDC when it listed current and former smokers of any age as being at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
The failure to prioritise asthma as an underlying condition contributes to the unequal distribution of vaccines and places communities of colour at even greater risk. It is crucial that health organisations and governments recognise the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of colour and take steps to address these disparities by including asthma as an underlying condition and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and resources for these communities.
By addressing these disparities and prioritising the health and well-being of communities of colour, we can work towards reducing the infection, hospitalisation, and death rates from COVID-19 within these communities and strive for a more equitable future for all.
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Frequently asked questions
No, asthma is not currently considered an underlying health condition for the COVID-19 vaccine. However, there have been calls to include moderate-to-severe asthma in the list of underlying medical conditions, as individuals with pre-existing lung conditions are more susceptible to severe COVID-19.
Asthmatics with moderate-to-severe symptoms may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 and have a harder time fending off respiratory infections.
Yes, the RSV vaccine prevents asthma and asthma exacerbation by protecting against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The influenza vaccine can also help prevent asthma exacerbation.
Yes, underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 include obesity, diabetes, chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, and immunocompromised states.
