CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Thousands of vaccines have already been administered and consultations mark months for those who are still waiting.
As it stands now, those with “underlying health conditions” are eligible to receive a Phase 1C vaccine in South Carolina. Some of them include chronic kidney disease, heart problems and cancer. According to the CDC, smoking is also on the list.
“I understand that smokers are at greater risk,” said Eva Mueller, who has smoked for 15 years. “As a smoker, I understand that perfectly. But I think children, the elderly, rescuers – everyone should be the first. “
Although Mueller is ready to receive the vaccine, she does not necessarily believe that smokers should receive preferential treatment.
“Honestly, I think they should be with the normal population,” says Mueller.
According to doctors, there is a science behind smoking being considered an underlying health condition and being eligible for the vaccine to the general public. Doctors say that smokers have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, requiring admission to the ICU and a ventilator.
“From the point of view of resource utilization, these patients are very sick for long periods of time, they are in the hospital for a long time,” says Dr. Patrick Looser, interventional cardiologist at LowCountry Cardiology. “If we can vaccinate them and prevent these serious cases of illness, we can free up hospital resources and staff to treat other patients.”
But Looser sees the arguments on both sides.
“I think it is a very complex and ethical question to answer,” says Looser. “I don’t think there is a right answer. Certainly, some people can argue that smoking is a choice. They chose to do this with themselves. That is why they should not be prioritized. And I fully understand that argument. I think that, from my perspective and what we are seeing at the hospital, it would make sense to prevent these serious cases of infection first and vaccinate the highest risk group first. “
Overall, Looser says he agrees with the guidelines that put smokers above the general population because they have a higher risk of infection.
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