Thalassemia and Sickle cell patients are at high risk of getting an infection and now when the cases are on rising the risk also increases. Speaking on the matter director of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Centre Dr. Vinky Rughwani has requested the Union health minister Dr. Harshwardhan regarding such patients as they should be included in the list of comorbidities and his efforts paid off.
However, despite getting the name in the list of comorbidities, many of the Thalassemia and Sickle cell patients will not be able to get the vaccine because of age criteria. As most of the patients with Thalassemia and Sickle cell disease are below the age of 45. Hence, they are not eligible to get the vaccine. Bringing the matter further into notice Dr. Rughwani has requested the government that the criteria of age should be relaxed for these patients so that these needy patients can get vaccinated.
