As vaccine distribution continues across the country, eligibility is expanding to include younger age groups and those with medical conditions, including high body mass index (BMI).
However, on social media, many people who qualify on the basis of BMI are struggling with “vaccine blame”, feeling that they may be taking doses of the vaccine from someone who may be more “deserving”. After a viral topic on Twitter highlighted the possible health risks of COVID-19 faced by people with obesity, many joined the discussion.
Infectious disease experts and registered nutritionists agree that it is important for people with obesity to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become eligible to receive it. TODAY Health also spoke with a clinical psychologist who offered some advice on how to deal with feelings of “guilt over the vaccine”.
Why are people with a high BMI considered a priority for the COVID-19 vaccination?
Used to indicate a person’s weight and whether or not they are considered underweight, overweight or obese, having a high BMI does not necessarily mean that someone is at additional risk for COVID-19.
However, there are data that indicate that overweight or obese people are at risk for more serious cases of COVID-19.
“Much of the vaccine’s eligibility is focused on people who are most at risk of complications if they are infected with COVID,” said Dr. Marybeth Sexton, an infectious disease specialist, hospital epidemiologist and assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. “You are trying to protect the individual, who may be at risk of being in the hospital or intensive care unit or even dying, and you are also protecting the health care system … If you can prevent the people who are most likely of needing to be in the hospital after getting sick in the first place, then you really help the stability of the hospital system. “
Dr. Gabrielle Page-Wilson, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University, said that overweight or obese people are being prioritized in the same way as the elderly and other high-risk individuals, referring to a recent study that showed people with obesity are twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital and 48% more likely to die from coronavirus.
“What we do know is that obesity is associated with increased mortality and severe COVID-19 disease,” said Page-Wilson. “When we say serious complications, we mean things like intubation, sepsis, we mean things like need for kidney replacement therapy or kidney failure and need for hemodialysis. … (Being overweight or obese) alone is a factor of risk, and it is really necessary for these people to be high on the eligibility list. “
Kirstin Kirkpatrick, registered nutritionist and wellness nutrition services manager at Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, said that BMI is not always an accurate tool, as it is based only on weight and height and does not distinguish between weight which can be muscle or fat. However, BMI tends to be the most measurable weight assessment, so Kirkpatrick said that is why it is being used to determine the vaccine’s eligibility.
“BMI is the best assessment we can give at the national level,” she said.
Page-Wilson said that because many studies were calculated using BMI, people who are eligible for the vaccine because of their BMI should get it when they can.
“You can have a high BMI because of increased muscle mass, or you can have a high BMI, but not have any comorbidity, but just having that BMI potentially puts you at a higher risk of complications and mortality related to COVID-19, and it makes you eligible, “said Page-Wilson.
How can people deal with ‘vaccine guilt’?
Jessica Stern, a clinical psychologist at NYU Langone Health, said that every eligible person who feels guilty about getting the vaccine should remember that vaccination makes people around them safer.
“Remember that it is not necessarily your responsibility to decide whether you are eligible or if you deserve the vaccine (if you fall into an eligible category),” said Stern. “… Responding to this is much more of a common team effort, and just as we have to work together to adopt safety precautions, it is a common effort to get the vaccine so that we can protect each other and protect ourselves. If someone is getting the vaccine, it’s not just helping themselves. It’s helping the community ”.
For those who may be seeing their eligibility questioned or debated on social media, Stern recommends recognizing that the vitriol tends to come from a place of “fear, hopelessness and anxiety” while millions wait for the vaccine.
“It is absolutely not acceptable for someone to be a victim of this, but I think that if someone is receiving it and getting a sense of judgment or hatred, the best (thing to do), although it is easier said than done, is remembering is not about them, it’s not personal, “said Stern. “If you are getting the vaccine (when eligible) … remember that you are following the rules and guidelines and that someone’s frustration with you is not personal.”
Most importantly, remember that eventually, everyone will have to be vaccinated.
“If you feel you are not sure whether to get the vaccine when offered, remember that you are actually using a valuable vaccine that otherwise might not be used,” said Stern. “You are really doing a good service to everyone around you, making sure that nothing is wasted.”
