“The situation here in New Hampshire remains very serious, the data shows that community transmission is increasing, and we expect cases to rise. We must all remain vigilant in our daily lives. As we enter these winter months, it will be more important than ever to wear your mask, practice social distancing, and maintain proper hand hygiene.” – Governor Chris Sununu
Happy New Year! My holiday break was boring and lonely, but I would rather be lonely than sick. One of my direct support professionals (DSP’s) contracted Covid-19 and directly exposed me to the virus. Luckily for her, the effects of it were not too severe and I didn’t catch it. I guess all those elderberry gummies along with handwashing and mask wearing did the trick. Still, I can’t help but feel like I dodged a bullet, and I may have to dodge a few more before I have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Many advocates in the disability community are concerned about the vaccine rollout because, according to the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), a national, nonprofit trade association that represents private community providers that serve individuals with disabilities, “people with developmental disabilities who contract Covid-19 face a two to 10 times greater risk of dying as compared to others.”
Let’s face it, nobody likes needles, but I’m much more worried about getting sick with the virus and possibly giving it to someone else around me. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), wearing masks, washing your hands and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Still, these good habits aren’t enough to stop the pandemic.
If you’re exposed to the virus, vaccines work with your body’s immune system to fight it. There are two vaccines approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines are both about 95% effective and require two separate doses that are given in the upper arm. The most common side effects are similar for both vaccines. At the injection site, there can be pain, swelling, or redness. In general, the recipient may experience chills, tiredness, or headache. This is more commonly a result of the second injection and is usually a good sign since it means your body is building protection against the virus. After learning a little bit about the vaccine, I was still curious and had a few questions. Here’s what the CDC website had to say.
Can I get Covid-19 from the vaccine?
NO… Neither the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or any of the other vaccines currently in development in the United States can cause Covid-19. This is because there is no live virus in them. Some side effects, such as fever, are common with most vaccines but, they should be gone in a few days, maybe less. If not, call your doctor or health care provider for help. Remember, this means your body is preparing to fight the virus.
Does someone who had Covid-19 and recovered still need to get vaccinated?
YES… Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection is possible, vaccines should be offered to you whether you have already had the virus or not. The natural immunity that occurs after recovering from the virus varies from person to person. The experts are not sure how long this immunity will last, and the evidence suggests that it may not last very long. For this reason, they recommend vaccination even if you have already been exposed. Currently, there just is not enough data to know for sure.
How will the vaccine be distributed?
Since vaccinating everyone is such a massive undertaking, NH Health Officials developed a rollout plan for New Hampshire that defines who is eligible and a timeline to make sure that the most vulnerable can be vaccinated first. This plan is subject to change so please check vaccines.nh.gov for the most up-to-date information!
Phase 1A is now underway, including high-risk healthcare workers, first responders, and people who live or work in long term health care facilities.
Phase 1B was recently adjusted to include people 65 and older because 95% of fatalities occur with in this age group. Others in this phase have at least two medical conditions that put them at greater risk such as, heart disease, diabetes, smoking, cancer, obesity, and down syndrome, to name a few. The list is not exhaustive and is subject to change as more data is analyzed. Family caregivers, that are above the age of 16 and care for vulnerable individuals are also eligible for vaccination during this time. The staff and residents of facilities for Individuals who are Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled are also part of this group. Officers and staff who are working in the correctional system, as well as first responders and health care workers not already vaccinated, complete the list of who is eligible. Registration begins on January 22nd.
Phase 2A is expected to begin in March and will include K-12 teachers and staff as well as childcare workers.Phase 2B covers people from 50-64 years old.
Phase 3A includes people less than 50 years old and considered to be medically vulnerable with 1 or more high risk conditions. This phase is expected to begin in May.
Phase 3B covers everyone who is not yet vaccinated.
There are three more vaccines waiting to be approved by the FDA. If and when this happens, the process to get everyone vaccinated could speed up. The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.
From where I sit …
It is pretty well known that people with disabilities have more health challenges than others without disabilities. Social distancing is basically impossible if you need assistance with personal care or other support to get through the day. To me, it only makes sense that people with disabilities be prioritized to receive the vaccine whether they live in long-term care facilities or live in the community. That said, I am very glad that the people who support me can get vaccinated early in the process. Medical providers do have some leeway in determining when their patients should be vaccinated, so you may have to advocate for yourself to be moved up on the list. If you have questions or concerns about whether the vaccine is right for you, or where you are on the rollout plan, you need to have a conversation with your medical provider. In the meantime, keep on wearing that mask (over your nose) and washing your hands.
