It is important to generate evidence: the role of high blood pressure in the effect of the vaccine against COVID-19. Re: characteristics associated with serological COVID-19 vaccine response and durability in an older population with significant comorbidity.

To the Editor:

We read with great interest the article published by Ole Schmeltz Søgaard [1]. The study allowed us to comment on the limited information about the comorbidities that the authors assessed, especially on high blood pressure (HBP) as one of the most important.

High blood pressure is of particular interest because it is highly prevalent among adults and older adults. There have been concerns related to the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in patients with hypertension infected with SARS-CoV-2 [2].

Many studies show that HBP, as well as diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease, is markedly more frequent in patients who require critical care or die from COVID-19 [3]; therefore, HBP is considered a comorbidity that generates about half of the patients infected with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals [4]. The patients with chronic HBP frequently have target organ damage, which increases their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and generates a high risk of unfavourable COVID-19–related outcomes.

Finally, although the publication informed us about the association between the serological response to COVID-19 vaccine and its durability, it is necessary to assess it in patients with the presence of HBP, as it is known to be a marker of worse prognosis amongst the patients with SARS-CoV-2 [2]. We suggest to take the patient's HBP into account while recording the evidence of its effects in the response of the COVID-19 vaccine [5].

Transparency declaration

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

This research has not received any scholarships from agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.

Author's contributions

María E. Villacorta, proposed the idea and made the initial draft; Mery Vílchez, completed the draft and review; Segundo R. León, review the draft and approved the final version.