Information for people with sickle cell disease

Why is planning for a COVID-19 vaccine important?

Preparing for your vaccine is important, because some people with sickle cell disease who are treated with red blood cell exchange need to time their vaccine in special ways.
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.
People with sickle cell disease should also pay special attention to how they are feeling in the days after they receive their vaccine.

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 you have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine because you have a higher change of experiencing severe symptoms if you get COVID-19.
Many people with sickle cell disease have underlying heart and lung problems as well as problems with their spleen, which plays an important role in the immune system, so vaccines are very important.
People with sickle cell disease weren’t 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 the vaccine will give people with sickle cell disease compared with people who don’t have sickle cell disease.
However, the way the vaccines work means that there is a strong chance that your immune system will learn to protect you, to some degree, from COVID-19 better.

If you are receiving treatment with red blood cell exchange, it is advised that you time your vaccine to occur within 10 days after getting the red blood cell exchange. This helps reduce the chance of developing something that people with sickle cell disease may experience called a sickle cell pain crisis.
You can continue taking all of your other sickle cell disease medications (like hydroxyurea) as you usually do.
If you don’t see your medication listed, or 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.
In the 2-3 days leading up to your vaccine, monitor yourself: are any of your symptoms new or worsening? If you aren’t feeling well, rebook your vaccine appointment for another day. Consider reaching out to your health care provider about your worsening symptoms.
You can feel safe going to the COVID-19 vaccine clinic, as they are following all COVID-19 safety precautions.

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 the COVID-19 vaccine will stay on location to be monitored for 15 minutes after they receive the vaccine.
People with sickle cell disease can develop a pain crisis after any vaccine, which is triggered by the tenderness and inflammation in the arm after receiving an injection.
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.
Contact your sickle cell disease care provider right away if you start to experience symptoms of a pain crisis.
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