The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and Ukraina TV channel continue their online broadcasts hosting leading medical experts to answer numerous pressing questions of viewers about COVID-19. A new guest was Andriy Servetnik, an infectious disease specialist, a doctor of the highest category, Medical Director of Matsuk City Hospital No.4 in Mariupol.
First of all, he emphasized the importance of vaccination. Although no vaccine is 100% effective or a panacea, it still has already given us results.
“Today 95-97% of all patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to our hospital and other hospitals all over Ukraine, who are also on oxygen support, have not been vaccinated. Vaccinated people who contract coronavirus infection experience a less severe illness and are more likely to be completely asymptomatic,” the expert stressed.
He believes that there are very few contraindications to vaccination.
“The first common contraindication is the acute phase of coronavirus infection. The second contraindication is chemotherapy for cancer. In this case, you should consult your specialist doctor. Also, vaccination should be postponed for 2-3 months for individuals who have just recovered from COVID-19. Although, a patient can still be vaccinated on his/her demand. There are no other contraindications. In many countries, you don’t even need a medical examination before vaccination,” stated Andriy Servetnik.
He added that the level of antibodies is not the reason for vaccine acceptance or refusal. These data are used by doctors to understand the pace of the disease progression and its implications. Andriy Servetnik warns against mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines from different manufacturers, “If you suffered no serious side effects after receiving your first dose of vaccine, then why to take the risk?”
The doctor emphasized not to use a nebulizer or an inhaler during the acute phase of the disease.
“Under no circumstances! You will only help the virus enter your lungs. This is strongly contraindicated. Nebulizer therapy can be used only at the rehabilitation stage to treat the post-COVID syndrome,” he stated.
Andriy Servetnik underlines that Ukraine is now passing the peak of the Delta wave, but we will see a fall in coronavirus cases within the next weeks. The expert expects the next wave of coronavirus in spring 2022.
“So, let’s all get vaccinated! Unvaccinated people will not end well”, stated the doctor.
Since its launch on the digital platforms of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, the Ask a Doctor project has had over 19 million views. Earlier, the project invited such guests as Borys Todurov, a famous cardiac surgeon; Kateryna Amosova, a cardiologist, associate member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, member of the European Society of Cardiology; Oleh Chaban, M.D., psychiatrist, professor; Serhiy Dubrov, the President of the Association of Anesthesiologists of Ukraine, and many others.
Watch videos featuring versed medical practitioners on the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s page on Facebook and YouTube.