As many of as 70.000 people in the Murcia region suffering from EPOC (severe respiratory conditons) or diabetes have been excluded from the “very high risk” category of Group 7 for immediate vaccination against Covid-19.
Group 7 includes the 70 to 79 age group and those at “very high risk” currently being given appointments for Covid-19 vaccinations.
This decision has been taken despite the mortality rate for these patients being three times the average if they contract Covid-19.
Up to 85% of patients with EPOC are or were smokers and experience shortness of breath, wheezing, pressure on the chest, a chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections.
They have been excluded from this group and will only be vaccinated now if they fall within the age category 70 to 79 due to a shortage of vaccines.
Some respiratory conditions do fall with the guidelines such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other grave respiratory conditions.
Some 180,000 diabetics, outside the 70 to 79 year bracket, are also excluded despite the risk they face if they contract Covid-19 (high glucose levels; circulation problems and the possibility of mass organ failure).
The following groups do fall into Group / regardless of their age:
Kidney transplant patients
Patients waiting for organ transplants
Patients being treated for cancer
Dialysis patients
People with Downs of over 40 years old
Patients with bone marrow cancer
Those with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy
If you are in doubt about whether you have a medical condition which falls within Group /7 you are advised to speak to your GP.
