Getting the Covid vaccine with a disability by Aaron Tanner
Note: The following blog post is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the ideas of everyone at Tennessee Valley Unite.
The Covid-19 pandemic hit America hard. Fortunately, the end might be in sight thanks to the Covid vaccine. According to President Biden, approximately 100 million Americans received the vaccine as of mid-March 2021.
Having a form of Autism called Asperger Syndrome, I was skeptical about getting the Covid vaccine as I was afraid that taking it might make my condition worse. After reading material from organizations such as Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of America, about the higher death and severe side effect rate of Covid for those on the spectrum, I decided to get the vaccine.
Those with a significant disability are more likely to experience effects from Covid than those without a disability. For example, according to one study I heard, those with Downs Syndrome are ten times more likely to die from Covid than the average population.
Although the research I read indicated a lack of overwhelming sufficient evidence showing the effects of the vaccine on those with Autism, studies were done of different control groups, both disabled and non-disabled, indicating that a large portion of people in those studies did not have serious side effects from taking the vaccine. Reading that statistic also swayed me towards getting the vaccine.
Because I work in manufacturing, I was eligible for the vaccine under group 1B in Alabama. My mom took me to my appointment at a local pharmacy after work on Friday to get vaccinated. After checking in, I showed the pharmacist my driver’s license and my work badge. A couple of minutes later, I sat down and got the one-shot Johnson and Johnson Vaccine in my left arm and received a card saying I got vaccinated. Fortunately, I did not have an allergic reaction after the shot.
The next day, Saturday, I experienced some side effects that affected my ability to function. These symptoms from the vaccine included shortness of breath, chills, a possible brief fever, and, interestingly, fatigue during the day but insomnia during the night. Fortunately, the side effects subsided 48 hours later, and I could go back to work on Monday. So far, my Asperger traits are the same as before I got the vaccine, neither better nor worse.
In my opinion, the slight discomfort of getting the vaccine outweighs the long-term possibility of having permanent damage from Covid-19 if one gets the illness. However, I must caution readers that the decision should be made by each individual and, if applicable, their guardian instead of a group as a whole as side effects will vary from person to person.
I recommend consulting your family physician about the best action to take regarding whether to take the vaccine as side effects might not be recognized until later. If you can, get the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine and on a Friday afternoon so that one has the weekend to recover from side effects and hopefully not miss any work. Also, check the ingredients in the different types of vaccines for possible allergic reactions.
I got lucky with my vaccine. Some in north Alabama have had to drive up to Tennessee to get the one or two-shot vaccine. As more Americans get vaccinated, hope is around the corner that a semblance of normalcy will return to daily life. Like many around here, I am ready for this pandemic to be over.
For more information about the studies I read, visit the following pages:
Autism and Covid Vaccines: Link
Prioritizing Covid Vaccines for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Link
Autism Society of America and Covid Vaccines: Link
CDC article on Covid Vaccines and disabilities: Link