Can patients with severe liver disease receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

     The term "COVID-19 vaccine" refers to the vaccine for the novel coronavirus. Generally speaking, whether patients with severe liver disease can receive the novel coronavirus vaccine mainly depends on their specific medical conditions. If the condition is in a stable phase, vaccination is usually possible. However, if the patient is in an acute phase or has severe liver function impairment, vaccination should not be administered. Detailed explanations are as follows:

     For patients with severe liver disease in the stable phase—for example, chronic hepatitis with relatively stable liver function and no presence of active hepatitis, decompensated cirrhosis, or liver failure—vaccination may be considered if a professional physician assesses that the risk of vaccination is lower than the risk of remaining unvaccinated. Administering the vaccine to such patients can help enhance their immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and reduce the risk of infection.

     However, if the patient is experiencing an acute hepatitis episode or has significant liver function impairment, their physical condition may not tolerate the immune response potentially induced by vaccination. Additionally, the vaccine might not generate sufficient immunogenicity in such patients. In these circumstances, administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended.

     Patients should maintain healthy lifestyle and dietary habits daily to enhance their immune system and better protect against possible viral infections.