Colorful boxes with individuals with a disabilities wearing masks.

COVID-19 Risks for People with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

What is an Intellectual or Developmental Disability?

Intellectual (ID) and developmental disabilities (DD) are lifelong and include persons with Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X Syndrome, and many other disabilities. The cause of these disabilities is often unknown. These disabilities can and do happen to anyone.

Intellectual disability is defined by a below-average cognitive ability – this includes:

  • Significant limitations in everyday life activities
  • The onset of the disability occurs before age 18
  • Intellectual disabilities are diagnosed through testing intelligence and adaptive behavior

Developmental disability is a broad term that includes autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other disorders that occur before age 18.

 

What is COVID-19 and how does it make me sick? What is the COVID-19 vaccine and how can it protect me?

Watch this video to learn about COVID-19, how to protect yourself from getting sick, the COVID-19 vaccine, and how it can protect you from becoming so sick you have to go to the hospital.

What is my risk of getting very sick from COVID-19?

People with ID and DD are at higher risk of getting COVID-19 and becoming very sick. If you have ID or DD, you are more likely to become very sick or die from COVID-19.

Why am I more at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19?

We know that people with ID or DD are much more likely to die from COVID-19 than people without those disabilities. This is because:

  • Your ID or DD might mean you have a weaker immune system. This means it is easier for you to get sick.
  • You may have a hard time protecting yourself from getting sick. This could be because you have a hard time washing your hands or staying 6 feet away from others. Maybe you have to get help from a direct service provider and they are not being careful to protect you from getting sick.
  • The things you have to do to protect yourself from getting sick might change your daily routine. This can cause stress. Stress can make it harder for you to protect yourself, tell others how you feel, and make it easier for you to get sick.
  • You might have a hard time or not be able to tell doctors or caregivers how you feel.
  • You may have a hard time understanding information about COVID-19. This could be because the information shared with you is not easy to read or understand.

What proof is there that I’m at greater risk of getting very sick?

  • We know that people between the ages of 18 and 74 who have DD and get sick from COVID-19 are over 3 times more likely to die and those with ID are 2 times more likely to die than people between the ages of 18 and 74 who get sick with COVID-19 and do not have ID and DD.
  • If you have Down Syndrome: We know that adults with Down Syndrome are more than 10 times more likely to die from COVID-19.
  • If you have Cerebral Palsy (CP): We know that people with CP have a higher risk of respiratory problems. This means if you get COVID-19 the sickness can make it hard to breathe.
  • If you have Autism: We know that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are more likely to have other health conditions. Having more than one health condition makes you at higher risk of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19.
  • If you live in a group home or other kind of home with other people who have ID or DD: Many people with ID or DD live in residential group homes. Living in places like this makes your risk of getting sick from COVID-19 much higher because the virus can easily spread from person to person and make you sick.
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Hear from champions in your community.

Graphic with color blocks in blue shades with text and photo. Photo is of William Farrior, a young Black man with a beard and glasses, smiling at the camera while wearing an ‘I got my COVID-19 vaccine’ pin. Text copies the quote from the post, followed by the campaign slogan ‘Protect your community. Secure your shot.’

Overcoming Barriers - Get Vaccinated!

So we know that COVID-19 is very dangerous, especially for people with intellectual  and developmental disabilities. How do you stay safe? Get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot! If you get your vaccine and booster shot, you will protect yourself and others from COVID-19. 

We know there are many barriers in the way of getting your COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot. 

  • Sometimes vaccine sites are not accessible. This means you are not able to enter or navigate the physical space, the information provided to you is hard to understand, or the clinic workers don’t know how to work with you because of your disability. You can call the South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Hotline at 1-800-787-6046 to help you schedule a vaccine at a site that is accessible for you. 

 

  • Sometimes getting a ride to a vaccine can be hard.  Maybe you don’t drive or don’t have a car. Maybe you don’t have access to a bus or something else makes it hard to get around. You can call the South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Hotline at 1-800-787-6046 to help you arrange a ride to your vaccine or even at-home vaccination.

 

  • Sometimes you need a computer to make an appointment. You may not have a computer, or you may need help using what you have available. You can call the South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Hotline at 1-800-787-6046 to help you schedule a vaccine.

 

  • The information you’ve heard about COVID-19 vaccines can be confusing. As we learn more from science it can be hard to know what information you need to stay safe. The SC Disability Vaccine Access Network has worked to provide you with information that is up to date, clear, and easy to understand. You can get this information from SCDisabilityVaccine.org or call the South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Hotline at 1-800-787-6046. The Hotline also has people who can answer any questions you might have about COVID-19 vaccines.

 

  • You might be afraid of how the vaccine will impact your disability. There is a lot of research that shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with and without disabilities. This research also shows that COVID-19 vaccines can protect you from getting very sick and dying from COVID-19. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about which vaccine is best for you and your disability.
 

Make your vaccination plan today

The SC Disability Vaccine Access Network is here to help reduce barriers to vaccine access. Learn more about how to make an appointment at SCDisabilityVaccine.org or call us at 1-800-787-6046 for more information.

Sources

Intellectual and developmental disability and COVID-19 case-fatality trends: TriNetX analysis - ScienceDirect

 COVID-19 Mortality Risk in Down Syndrome: Results From a Cohort Study of 8 Million Adults | Annals of Internal Medicine

 Why individuals with cerebral palsy are at higher risk for respiratory complications from COVID-19 - IOS Press

COVID-19 outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disability living in residential group homes in New York State - ScienceDirect

White Paper: A Detailed Study of Patients with Long-Haul COVID

https://arcminnesota.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Intro.-to-Persons-with-IDD.pdf 

COVID-19 and people with intellectual disability: impacts of a pandemic 

Talking to Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities about COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC 

Plain Language COVID-19 Resources | Autistic Self Advocacy Network 

Could autism spectrum disorders be a risk factor for COVID-19?

Footer with “SC Disability Vaccine Access Network” and partner logos below. From left to right: Able SC, AccessAbility, Disability Rights South Carolina, Walton Options, UofSC Center for Disability Resources, South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council.”

www.SCDisabilityVaccine.org

Contact our Vaccine Access Helpline at 1-800-787-6046.

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