Vaccinated Individuals With ID Remain at Higher Risk

Special Olympics New Hampshire continues to strongly encourage vaccination against Covid-19 and Covid testing if anyone exhibits any symptoms or has been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Current SONH protocols require social distancing and use of masks except when vigorously exercising.

Two important pieces of information have come to light in the past two weeks. First is a study that was published recently in the British Medical Journal has concluded that people with Down syndrome are the most likely of all vaccinated adults to become hospitalized or die from Covid-19.

To be clear, the above sentence is correct. The study was conducted using the medical records of 5.2 million adults in the UK who were fully vaccinated.

Others in the high-risk category after vaccination include those who are immunosuppressed as a result of chemotherapy, a recent bone marrow or solid organ transplant. Individuals with HIV/AIDS, those living in congregate settings and people with neurological disorders, including dementia and Parkinson’s disease also fall into this higher-risk group.

The other evolving news in the ongoing pandemic is the CDC’s endorsement of a booster shot for those who are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. The booster, or third shot, should only be given 6 months or more after an individuals second Pfizer vaccine inoculation.

Currently the Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for booster shots.

On the surface, the CDC endorsement includes ages 65 and older, residents of long-term care settings like institutions and people ages 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. A closer look reveals that Down syndrome is on the list and those individuals are more likely to contract Covid-19 and have worse outcomes.

As always, SONH believes everyone should seek advice from a health care professional. We also continue to strongly encourage vaccination for all who are eligible. We also recommend that anyone who is exposed to an individual that has tested positive for Covid-19 should monitor for symptoms, check their temperature at least twice per day and get tested.

SONH Covid Resources can be found here. Our current protocol information is also available on our website here.