Archive | February, 2021

I got my second dose of COVID vaccine.

19 Feb

I am very fortunate that my state classified parents of high risk disabled kids (young adults, in my case) as “health care workers” and granted us access to the COVID-19 vaccine. 4 weeks ago I got dose one, and today I got dose 2.

As a short PSA–nurses like food and nothing stops you from showing them some gratitude. Here I am with the nurse who administered my shot, handing off a bag of chocolate.

“High risk” isn’t just a phrase. It’s a reality. My kid has a higher chance of complications or death than others. So I do this to protect them. And hospitals don’t have the capacity to handle a high support individual in the best of times. With a pandemic, the idea that my kid could end up strapped down and/or sedated has been very much on my mind.

So if I can reduce the chances of my kid getting sick, I’m taking it.

And I will admit, I am pleased to have the protection for myself. One of the phrases you will hear attributed to parents of disabled kids is “what will happen when I’m gone”. Well, this is a big step to make “when I’m gone” happen later. COVID kills.

As the parent of an autistic person I am well aware that many of my fellow parents are actively anti-vaccine. That’s a big reason why I speak out against their misinformation. The harm they do is very real.

I look forward to a time when we have COVID-19 under some control. Not so I can stop wearing a mask or eat at a restaurant. So I can rest with the confidence that my kid and other people are safer.

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By Matt Carey

As of March 15 people with developmental disabilities can qualify for COVID vaccines in California

18 Feb

California is opening access to COVID vaccines to more people. As part of this they have issued “Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Guidelines” which includes guidance on vaccines for people with developmental disabilities. Access will start March 15. Individuals must be 16 years or older, and meet these requirements:

1) The individual is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
2) Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual’s ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
3) Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability.

Here is a quote of the guidance:

Vaccinating those at higher risk

Beginning March 15, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals aged 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk to get very sick from COVID-19 because they have the following severe health conditions:

Cancer, current with weakened immune system
Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
Down syndrome
Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%

OR
If as a result of a developmental or other severe high-risk disability one or more of the following applies:

The individual is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual’s ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability.

This is a very welcome change. Caregivers were allowed access to the COVID vaccines earlier (Family members of some people with developmental disabilities declared “health care workers” and are eligible for COVID vaccines in California). Now we can extend People with disabilities are at high risk from COVID and getting this protection is a big step forward.

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By Matt Carey