The vast majority of people with asthma would accept a Covid-19 vaccination, however, less than one in three people with the respiratory condition have so far been vaccinated, the Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) has said.

It has released the findings of new patient and carer research, which found that 90% of those with asthma would accept a Covid vaccination, however, just 31% have so far been vaccinated.

Of those surveyed, 14% had experienced an asthma attack in the last four weeks, while a further 19% had suffered an attack in the last six months.

The research also found that 71% of those with asthma were worried about contracting a more severe form of Covid-19, while 56% felt that there was not enough detailed information about the pandemic for people with respiratory conditions.

Meanwhile, 36% said they had experienced mental health challenges as a result of the prolonged lockdown.

According to the ASI’s chief executive officer, Sarah O’Connor, this past year “has been a particularly worrying time for those with asthma and their families”.

“As Covid-19 is a respiratory illness, it is vital that people with asthma are in control of their condition. We were very concerned at some of these findings. Taken as a whole, the research does not paint a picture of Ireland as being an ‘asthma friendly’ or an ‘asthma safe’ country,” she commented.

Ms O’Connor noted that while every person who was surveyed was on asthma medication, 80% felts that their condition was not considered to be a life-threatening condition by the general public.

“Unfortunately this is far from the case and, on average, one person in Ireland dies every week as a result of their asthma. Only 20% of people felt their condition was taken seriously as an illness by family and friends and just 13% felt it was taken seriously as an illness at work.

“We really need to change these attitudes as Ireland has one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the world, with one in 10 children and one in 13 adults living with the condition,” Ms O’Connor noted.

She said that it is essential that people with asthma are in control of their condition and know what to do in an emergency, especially during the current pandemic.

“However, only 30% of respondents knew the ‘Five Step Rule’ required to manage an asthma attack. This urgently needs to be addressed in order to prevent further asthma deaths,” she added.

The survey involved 655 people with asthma and/or COPD, or their carers, and was carried out in April, 2021. For more information on the ASI, click here.