Information for People with Cystic Fibrosis

Why is planning for a COVID-19 vaccine important?

It is very important that you monitor how you are feeling in the days leading up to your vaccine appointment. If you do not feel well, rebook for when you are feeling better.

All of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe, and they do not contain any live virus. The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.
Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. They agree that unless have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine. People with cystic fibrosis and lung disease have a higher chance of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19.
People with cystic fibrosis were not included in the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccines. While the COVID-19 vaccines are very safe, we do not know exactly how much protection they will give people with cystic fibrosis.
However, experts agree that there is no reason from a disease perspective why the COVID-19 vaccine would work any differently for most people who have cystic fibrosis. The way the vaccines work means that there is a strong chance that your immune system will learn to protect you from COVID-19.

If you are taking antibiotics for a cystic fibrosis flare up in your lungs, you should wait to book your vaccine until you have finished the antibiotics, and call your cystic fibrosis clinic to confirm.
If you have had a transplant, please read the information for people who have had a transplant at the following link: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine/clinically-extremely-vulnerable/organ-transplant/
If you take medications for another condition and you aren’t sure if you need to worry about timing, contact your health-care provider.

Review COVID-19 Immunization Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
It is important that you are feeling as well as possible when you get your vaccine. However, most people with cystic fibrosis have chronic symptoms, like coughing, sputum production, and shortness of breath.
Monitor yourself for 4-5 days before your vaccine appointment: are any of your symptoms new or getting worse? If you are not feeling like your usual self, rebook your vaccine appointment for another day. You won’t lose your place in line. Please contact your health care provider about any new or worsening symptoms.
If you are having any other more serious cystic fibrosis-related problems, like a bowel obstruction or pancreatitis, you need to call your cystic fibrosis health care provider. You may have to wait until you are considered stable before you get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Please bring your non-expired MCP card to your appointment.
You can bring any medical or mobility equipment that you need.
If you need to, you can bring a trusted friend, family member or caregiver with you to support you through the process and/or translate for you as needed. Please only bring one person.

Everyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine will stay on location to be monitored for 15 minutes after they get their vaccine.
You should tell a health-care provider at the vaccination site if you do not feel well.
If you have any new or worsening symptoms once you go home, please call your health care team or 8-1-1. If you have a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Everyone will have to continue following COVID-19 public health measures, even after getting their vaccine.

Read the COVID-19 vaccine information for my condition(s)
Time my vaccine appointment around my medication and treatments (if relevant to me)
Talk to my doctor if I have any questions or need any help planning my medication
Monitor how I’m feeling leading up to my vaccination appointment. Is anything new or getting worse compared to how I usually feel?
Make sure I am feeling my usual self on the day of my vaccine appointment
Plan to bring the medical and mobility equipment I need with me

April 23, 2021