PHA: Only persons with BP beyond 180/120 must defer COVID-19 vaccination

MANILA, Philippines — Only individuals whose blood pressure exceeds 180/120 are advised to defer or reschedule their COVID-19 vaccination, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) said Wednesday.

“Hindi po dapat maging hadlang ang mataas na blood pressure para sila ay mabakunahan except kung ang blood pressure nila ay more than 180/120 sa site,” PHA President Dr. Orly Bugarin said in a televised briefing.

(Having high blood pressure should not be a hindrance in having themselves vaccinated except if their blood pressure is more than 180/120.)

Other than this specific case, Bugarin said the PHA encourages those with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as long their condition is “controlled” or they regularly take their maintenance medications.

“Sa ngayon po, wala pa pong matibay na ebidensya na ang pagbabakuna laban sa COVID-19 ay may masamang epekto sa mga pasyente na may high blood,” Bugarin said.

(Right now, there is no solid evidence that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 has an adverse effect on patients with high blood pressure.)

Public school teachers receive Sinovac’s  COVID-19 vaccine at the Palacio de Maynila. (INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

“Talagang ine-encourage pa rin po namin ang ating mga kababayan, puwede po kayong magpabakuna kahit kayo po ay may hypertension o may mga tinatawag na cardiovascular diseases. Syempre dapat lang po na tayo po ay controlled kung tawagin o iniinom po natin ang ating mga maintenance na medications,” he added.

(We encourage our countrymen to be vaccinated even if they have hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. Of course, it has to be controlled and that maintenance medications are taken regularly.)

To prevent high blood pressure on vaccination day, Bugarin advised patients not to drink coffee and smoke before their scheduled inoculation.

“Sana maging kalmado tayo. Kung mahahandle sana natin yung anxiety o ating nerbyos makakatulong rin po yun para hindi po tumaas ang blood pressure,” he added.

(Let’s be calm. If we can handle our anxiety or nervousness, this will greatly help to prevent our blood pressure from increasing.)

The government has already been simultaneously vaccinating health workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities— the top three groups in the vaccine priority list.

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