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In a study over over 64 MILLION people across the US, COVID-19 has been shown to be most deadly to those with an intellectual disability. This was once a theory, now it is a proven fact. Take action! Write your governor and demand that intellectual disability and neurodevelopment disorders be put on the priority list for vaccination in your state. A sample letter is below:
As a person or family member affected by intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, we ask that you include all high-risk patients and caregivers living with these conditions as a priority population in your immediate prioritization of FDA- approved COVID-19 vaccines.
Intellectual disabilities have extensive, and often severe comorbidities. Early prevention and intervention are paramount, and this vaccine is critical for our high-risk community and public health. Families affected by IDD and NDD live daily with conditions including: cardiopulmonary dysfunction; neurological deficits; debilitating seizures; vision and/or hearing loss; gastrointestinal issues; autism spectrum disorder. A recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated the high mortality of COVID 19 in people with IDD and since groups with lower risk of mortality have been listed as high priority conditions, we request that those with IDD be added immediately. As leaders and caregivers in this community, we strongly believe individuals living with IDD who require daily hands-on care, and their caregivers should be included in the high-risk population for risk for catastrophic outcomes due to infection of COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 could be devastating for individuals and family members, of all ages, who are constantly at high-risk for neurological and organ damage caused by potential infection. During the pandemic, these families have lost vital resources (such as physical, occupational and speech therapies) and myriad interventions otherwise afforded to them. Compounded by COVID-related delays in routine public and private care management due to risk of exposure, many people have experienced regression, and the only way to safely resume these crucial interventions is through immediate vaccination. Beyond the direct risk of Covid-19, the pandemic has had negative effects on the ability of individuals with IDD to receive health care and daily support that they need.
We urgently call on you to prioritize all people and family members and caregivers of people with IDD and NDD to receive the COVID 19 vaccine.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33676088/
NEJM article open access: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.21.0051
