U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) and several colleagues recently urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and to the frontline workers who support them.
“This is an important step the CDC should take to responsibly and effectively reduce the mortality among individuals with disabilities,” Rep. Katko said in a March 17 statement.
Rep. Katko also led a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Steve Stivers (R-OH), and Kathleen Rice (D-NY), in sending a recent letter to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky asking that individuals with I/DD and their Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) be included in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for Phase 1b and Phase 1c vaccination groups “due to the high COVID-19 mortality rates among this population.”
“We fear that by not including these individuals with I/DD, as well as their direct support staff, in Phase 1b/c prioritization, the populations may face increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19,” the lawmakers wrote.
Rep. Katko and his colleagues pointed out that early analysis from Syracuse University revealed COVID-19 related death rates in individuals with I/DD residing in New York were 2.4 times higher than the general state population. Individuals with I/DD living in settings other than co-residencies also face increased risks and because of this have been forced to stop receiving their normal services and supports, which can cause greater exposure, the lawmakers wrote.
“We believe that by ensuring states receive the recommendation to include all individuals with I/DD in Phase 1c, and not just individuals in congregate settings, they will better be able to address the enhanced risks these individuals face,” wrote Rep. Katko and the members. “This recommendation should explicitly apply to all persons with I/DD, those living in group homes and other living arrangements.”
Currently, according to their letter, DSPs often are group home workers and staff or provide services in individual homes or community settings, yet they are not recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to be in Phase 1b vaccinations with other health care personnel.
“DSPs should be recognized as the essential health professionals they are and included in Phase 1b to ensure the individuals they support who are at heightened risk are not further exposed to COVID-19,” the members wrote.