Prioritizing vaccination among patients with heart disease

Patients with cardiovascular disease face a higher risk of COVID-19 complications. But with limited vaccines available, which heart patients should be prioritized for vaccination? Thomas Maddox, MD, professor of cardiology, served as co-chair of the writing group that developed the American College of Cardiology health policy statement, published Feb. 12, that calls for those with advanced heart disease to be prioritized over those whose heart disease is well-managed.

The recommendations are aimed at guiding clinicians in prioritizing their most vulnerable heart disease patients, while considering disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among those in different racial/ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels. “A coherent vaccine allocation strategy will consider the exposure risks and clinical risks of given individuals and populations,” Maddox said.