Dr Anjum: Sickle cell disease and Covid-19
Hello my name is Dr Sher Bahadur Anjum. I work as a paediatric consultant, with a special interest in paediatric haematology, at Newham Hospital.
I am currently looking after around 200 extremely clinically vulnerable patients and most of them have a sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition which runs in families. It can affect anyone but it is more prevalent in people from African and Caribbean backgrounds.
Sickle cell disease is a disorder of the haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. In people with sickle cell disease, the red blood cells change shape after oxygen is released and stick together, causing blockages in the small blood vessels. These changes cause severe and painful episodes known as a crises. Some people with sickle cell disease develop severe complications and some can have a stroke.
Most people with sickle cell disease are immunocompromised, which means their immune system is weaker than normal. This increases their risk of getting infections, and makes it much harder for them to recover when they do become ill. Many infections, including Covid-19 can be very serious and ultimately fatal for people with sickle cell disease.
Having had Covid-19 myself, I understand how the infection can quickly overcome you. Back in March, I contracted severe Covid-19 and became very ill. I was admitted to critical care for two weeks. While I am now fully recovered and back at work, I never want to risk any of my friends, family or vulnerable patients getting ill.
Approximately 15,000 people in the UK have sickle cell disorder. This means 15,000 people who are extremely clinically vulnerable and are more likely to become very ill if they contract Covid-19.
Among this number are children with sickle cell disease. And while Covid-19 is not as common in children compared to the adult population and presents with much milder symptoms, it can be very serious in children with sickle cell disease and other immunodeficiency-related illnesses. Right now, the Covid-19 vaccines available for use in the UK cannot be used on people under the age of 16. But research is being carried out to determine whether it’s safe for children to have one of these vaccines. And I feel hopeful that soon, Covid-19 will be one infection my young patients with sickle cell disease will have to worry less about.
I know that there is more hesitance from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities – the communities where sickle cell disease tends to be most common – to have a Covid-19 vaccine when offered it, compared to our white counterparts. One of the reasons for this is historical events and a general mistrust in the system.
However, I want to assure you that the Covid-19 vaccines currently being offered in the UK are safe and effective. I have had it, and short of a few aches and a scratch on the arm I felt absolutely fine. In fact, I felt relieved to know that I now have some extra protection if am exposed to virus again.
So please, do take up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccine when you are offered it.