As we have shared in previous emails, people with developmental and other disabilities will be eligible for the COVID vaccine starting March 15, 2021.
What does that mean for you or your family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
You may get a letter from your Regional Center with your name on it saying you are eligible for the vaccine on March 15. You may also be contacted by the Regional Center with information about where you can get a vaccine, how to schedule an appointment, and options for assistance including transportation. It will be important for you to bring this letter to your appointment to prove your eligibility.
Remember, currently there are not enough vaccines for everyone who is eligible. This means it may be hard to find an appointment to get a vaccine. The good news is more vaccines are coming.
Today, the Department of Developmental Services released a department directive to advise Regional Centers to contact consumers who are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine.
Public health guidance from the California Department of Public Health states that, effective March 15, 2021, the following people will be eligible for vaccination:
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-19 care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability
OR
- Individuals ages 16 through 64 who are deemed by the clinical judgment of their health care provider to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 as a direct result of one or more of the following severe health conditions:
- Cancer, current with debilitated or immunocompromised state
- Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
- Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
- Down syndrome
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (excludes hypertension)
- Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
