When Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna revealed their vaccines with efficacy rates of 95% and 94.1%, it marked a significant turning point in our battle against COVID-19. It felt as though we were nearing the end of a long and arduous journey that had persisted for over a year.
Since the approval of these vaccines in December 2020, discussions around vaccination availability, distribution, and prioritization have dominated national conversations. With limited supplies, states are tasked with deciding who should receive the vaccine first.
The CDC issued guidelines for states to follow when determining vaccine priority, based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This independent panel of medical professionals prioritizes healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities in the initial phase, followed by frontline essential workers and individuals aged 75 and older in the subsequent phase.
However, states are not obligated to adhere to these CDC recommendations. As many states move beyond the first phase, they are increasingly diverging from federal guidelines, either by narrowly defining essential workers or by including groups initially left out. Consequently, where you stand in the vaccine queue can vary significantly depending on your location.
One often overlooked group in many states’ vaccination plans is younger individuals under 65 who have high-risk conditions that put them at greater risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Take, for example, Jamie Thompson, a 42-year-old mother from Charlotte, N.C., who has Cystic Fibrosis and has undergone two double-lung transplants. She is working to raise awareness for this underserved segment of the population in her home state.
Initially, North Carolina had prioritized high-risk individuals, and Jamie was optimistic upon hearing the vaccine announcements. She expressed her commitment to receiving the vaccine when eligible, stating, “I have participated in numerous drug trials to help advance treatments that can save lives.”
However, when North Carolina revised its priority list, Jamie and others with high-risk conditions were moved down to phase four of five. For Jamie, this delay is not just an inconvenience; it could be a life-or-death situation. “I know that if I contract COVID, I likely wouldn’t survive,” she said in a local news interview. “I can’t afford to take that risk.”
Her medical history is significant—having had her first lung transplant in 2012 and a second in 2013. “The first time I was admitted, I was critically ill. I urged the doctors to keep fighting for me because I am a survivor,” she recounted. Currently, Jamie’s lung function sits at 60%, and she is on immunosuppressive medications that limit her treatment options if she contracts COVID.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has echoed Jamie’s plea in a letter to North Carolina lawmakers, urging them to prioritize individuals with serious underlying health conditions for COVID-19 vaccinations, including those with cystic fibrosis.
The CDC’s prioritization guidelines are based on three key principles: minimizing death and serious illness, preserving societal function, and alleviating the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on marginalized populations. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize high-risk individuals like Jamie for vaccination across all states.
The core issue is the urgent need for vaccines and an effective distribution framework to reach those in need promptly. While the vaccine rollout has been slow, it appears to be gaining momentum. The daily vaccination rate has increased from under a million to 1.7 million doses, with expectations for further acceleration. Dr. Anthony Fauci has suggested that by April, vaccination could become widely accessible, although he’s tempered his optimism since then.
In February, President Biden announced an additional 200 million vaccine doses secured by his administration, increasing the total to 600 million—enough to cover every American adult by the end of May. This is promising news, but for high-risk individuals, the timeline may still be too slow unless they are prioritized in every state. Jamie urges state officials to act with compassion and consider how they would feel if they or a loved one were at high risk for severe COVID-19 complications.
Jamie’s advocacy seems to be making a difference; North Carolina’s governor recently announced that certain high-risk individuals will be eligible for vaccination starting March 24. This news has renewed Jamie’s hope, and she encourages others in similar situations to remain optimistic. “Without hope, we have nothing,” she asserts.
For more insights on the importance of prioritizing high-risk individuals in vaccination efforts, check out this blog post and learn from these patient stories, which can provide valuable perspectives. If you’re seeking resources for pregnancy and home insemination, visit Mount Sinai’s infertility resources.
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Summary:
The need to prioritize COVID-19 vaccines for younger individuals with high-risk conditions is crucial. Jamie Thompson, a 42-year-old mother with Cystic Fibrosis, exemplifies the urgency of ensuring that those under 65 with serious health issues receive timely access to the vaccine. As states adjust their prioritization plans, it is essential to advocate for these vulnerable populations to prevent potentially life-threatening delays.