The use of thiopurine (azathioprine and mercaptopurine) reduces the immune response to viruses, which is associated with an increased risk of opportunistic infections. There is limited evidence that they increase the risk of respiratory infections. The risks and benefits should be considered, but most patients can continue on a stable dose. In patients in stable remission, elderly patients and in the presence of concomitant pathology, it is recommended to stop taking thiopurine. During a pandemic, it is recommended to avoid starting thiopurine or increasing the dose, which will allow patients to avoid potential side effects. If the patient is in contact with a COVID-19 person, temporary withdrawal of thiopurine for 2 weeks should be considered. If a patient tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 and/or develops COVID-19, temporary discontinuation of thiopurine may be recommended until the patient clears the infection.
In 2021, in Ukraine, vaccination coverage rates for children under 1 year of age against such infections as tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, etc. ranged from 78% to 80.1% (with the required level >90 %), which is undoubtedly not enough to recognize the epidemic situation under control. In particular, this figure for 3 vaccinations against polio at the age of up to 1 year was 80.1%, 5 vaccinations at the age of 6 years received only 78.4% of children. At the same time, vaccination coverage rates varied widely across regions. In 12 regions, among children under 1 year old, they were <80% and ranged from 68.5% to 73.9%, and among children under 18 months. (4 vaccinations) - 66% to 73%. That is, almost 20-30% of children did not receive routine vaccination against poliomyelitis due to age in the above target groups, subject to vaccination according to the Immunization Schedule.
Primary arterial hypertension (AH) or essential hypertension (AH) remains one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. A prolonged and persistent increase in blood pressure (BP) leads to damage to target organs, contributing to the development of severe cardiovascular complications (cerebral stroke, myocardial infarction, life-threatening arrhythmias and heart failure), kidney damage (renal failure) and vision and causes high mortality and disability of the working-age population. Annually in the world hypertension is the cause of death of more than 10 million people. In Ukraine, more than 12.6 million people are registered with this disease, or more than 35% of the population. But, among people with high blood pressure (BP), only 52% of patients know about the presence of the disease, less than a third of them are treated, and no more than 15% of patients are effectively treated.
A separate problem is the treatment of hypertension in patients with COVID-19. The presence of a history of hypertension in patients with COVID-19 was associated with a more severe course of infection, in contrast to patients who did not have hypertension. According to modern concepts, during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with hypertension should carefully monitor their blood pressure levels and take constantly prescribed medications. This also applies to the use of so-called blockers of the renin-angiotensin system for the treatment of patients with hypertension: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. A number of recent studies show that these groups of drugs not only do not increase the risk of infection with the virus, but also significantly improve the course of coronavirus disease.