![Talk to your doctor about specific concerns, but in general, experts say people with liver diseases can get the vaccine. [Rido / Shutterstock]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c6bf713/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/840x560!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F1%2F29%2Fshutterstock_1852862008.jpg)
What are your questions about the coronavirus vaccine?
ideastream's health team is answering as many questions as possible, with help from local experts in a range of fields. You can send us your questions with our online form, through our social media group, or call us at 216-916-6476. We'll keep the answers coming on our website and on the air.
Judy from Willoughby asks: “Can either of the current vaccines affect the liver of someone who has Hepatitis C?”
There is no reason the COVID-19 vaccine would cause any liver problems, said Dr. Keith Armitage, medical director of the Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health at University Hospitals.
Dr. David Margolius, an infectious disease specialist at MetroHealth, agrees. He recommends that individuals with Hepatitis C or other liver diseases get the COVID-19 vaccine when they are eligible.
So far, there’s no evidence that the vaccine can cause liver damage, although neither of the vaccine trials released so far had data specific to individuals with Hepatitis C, Dr. Margolis said.
People with certain medical conditions caused by liver disease may actually be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infections, according to the CDC, so getting the vaccine may help protect this population even more.
As always, talk to your doctor if you have concerns about specific medical conditions.
