Immunocompromised risk

[treeflowercat]

My perception to date has been that those who are immunocompromised are at extremely high risk of Covid... And the shielding letters and comms to people in that category that have put the fear of god into them have reinforced this.

However, has the risk been overstated to the extent that those who are immunocompromised remain in fear of their lives when actually the risk doesn't actually merit that level of fear?

I've quoted from Prof Francois Balloux, who seems to be a very level head when it comes to Covid, with his summary based on a paper linked to his Twitter account:

"Immunocompromised people are at increased risk of severe Covid. For example the study below found a ~2x mortality increase. This is substantial increase in mortality risk but covid is not an automatic death sentence for the immunocompromised. To provide some context, the excess mortality risk of covid for an immunocompromised person, is roughly in line with being 5-10 years older, having a mental illness or being obese."

Of course, there's a spectrum of immunocompromised conditions, but this seems to suggest that it's not quite as bad as tends to be made out... and this kind of analysis may help those who are immunocompromised to be less concerned, whilst still recognising they remain at greater risk, and feel more able to have a fuller and less isolated life as a result.

[quote Tealightsandd]But also regardless of exact definition of what immunocompromised means, the fact remains that diabetes is one of the very highest risks of death from Covid.

In Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2021, diabetes remained the most common pre-existing condition mentioned on death certificates for deaths due to COVID-19 in England and Wales (22.5% of all deaths due to COVID-19).

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/monthlymortalityanalysisenglandandwales/december2021#pre-existing-conditions-of-people-whose-death-was-due-to-covid-19-deaths-registered-in-october-to-december-2021[/quote]
i think you're over egging the pudding a little in your statement regarding "many millions of immuno-compromised people " .Do you not have any faith in the reduction of risk and severe illness/death that the vaccines have had on some patient groups? This is where it's not great to lump diabetics in as being in the same boat as somebody who is potentially likely to be unresponsive to vaccines due to blood cancer or being on long term immuno-suppressants . I've not seen any research that states that a diabetic person won't have achieved any immunity from the vaccines. It figures highly in the list of co-morbidities precisely because type 2 diabetes is highly associated with advancing age, obesity, cardio-vascular disease plus there are lots of other factors that impact on risk profile such as ethnicity and level blood sugar control. Having had diabetic family members become obsessive shielders - with understandable caution when they were in that period of time before vaccine roll out - the resulting increase in severe obesity is causing a huge increase in both physical and mental health problems and is of more concern to me then if they decided to show some trust in the vaccine. I think people need to follow the advice given by their consultant/medical team pertaining to their own individual situations but once this omicron wave has settled and summer approaches I would be truly sad if people with long term health conditions are not able to experience improvements in their quality of lives due to misplaced fears, its not an automatic death sentence and increased risk is not the same as absolute risk.

Very clearly put, @s1h2o3na.

Though I think you'll be told in a minute that like @Mickarooni and I, any dissent means you've "misunderstood"

You never know your luck, you might get ignored @s1h2o3na :)

@whitedahlias

Very clearly put, *@s1h2o3na*.

Though I think you'll be told in a minute that like @Mickarooni and I, any dissent means you've "misunderstood"

I’m not belittling the impact having a chronic or inflammatory illness on the immune system but it’s a completely different kettle of fish to immune suppression and immune deficiency. Some people will not be told though.

“Long covid means everybody is potentially vulnerable” So the whole country, nay, the entire world is clinically vulnerable?!

Well, I suppose factually that is correct, in the same way as saying “we are all going to die” - because we are, from the say we are born.

But in the context of shielding and jabbing, it’s a daft thing to say. A person who has mounted no vaccine response and who is on immunosuppressants is clearly in a difficult position, quite unlike many others on the ecv list, whatever their conditions may be. And certainly they are somewhat worse off than “everyone” who could possibly run the slight risk of long covid

would be truly sad if people with long term health conditions are not able to experience improvements in their quality of lives due to misplaced fears, its not an automatic death sentence and increased risk is not the same as absolute risk

Yes agree. Which is one reason why (Long Covid being another) freedom enabling, easy and simple for most, basic infection control mitigations such as masks and good ventilation are, not only as the WHO says, advisable but also the decent thing to do. So that people with justifiable concerns are able to be and feel safer - whilst also living their lives and participating in society.

And yes, it is many millions who are at increased risk, and, yes, of course higher risk isn't the same as certain death from Covid.
Healthy fear of a very infectious disease that kills and disables many, particularly if the person with the healthy fear is at increased risk, is completely different from misplaced or disproportionate fear.

Healthy fear provokes common sense mitigations. Just the same as we have seat belts and speeding limits because there is a risk (but obviously no guarantee) of death from road traffic accidents.

I really must stop checking in here whilst I'm out.