The following is a statement from the OIF’s Medical Advisory Council regarding COVID-19 vaccines. As with any health decision, it is important to discuss with your physician before receiving this or any vaccine, especially if you have a history of allergic reactions after receiving vaccinations.
At the time of this statement, two vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) have received emergency use authorization in the United States. In the general population, both vaccines seem to have similar safety profiles. Thus, it would be reasonable to think that the two vaccines are likely to have a similar safety profile in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for use in individuals ages 16 years and older; the Moderna vaccine is approved for individuals 18 years and older.
While some individuals may develop side effects after receiving the vaccine, the OIF’s Medical Advisory Council strongly recommends that individuals with OI who do not have any contraindications to receiving the vaccines, get the vaccination. A contraindication would be any symptom or condition you have that would make these vaccines inadvisable. This is especially relevant in individuals who are at risk for developing significant pulmonary complications. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are two dose vaccinations and it is important that you receive both doses of the vaccine to maximize the protection the vaccination offers you. Vaccination appears to protect about 95% of people from becoming infected with COVID-19. In individuals who got infected with COVID-19 despite receiving the vaccine, vaccination appears to reduce the severity of disease.
Currently, it is not known whether the vaccines can prevent transmission of the virus from person-to-person; thus, the OIF’s Medical Advisory Council urges people to follow all public health guidelines related to COVID-19 prevention, including wearing of face coverings, social distancing, and frequent washing of hands.
The OIF and the Medical Advisory Council strongly encourage you to talk with your physician before you receive this vaccine, especially if you have a history of allergic reactions after receiving other vaccinations or have a known allergy to any component that is present in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. We will update information as it becomes available, and as new vaccines from other companies are approved for use in the United States.
