As many of you are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently added Down syndrome as a condition that increases the risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.

Some states have already moved those with Down syndrome from category 1c to 1b, making them eligible now to receive the vaccine. However, Illinois is not one of those states. As the oldest Down syndrome organization in the country which was established in Illinois, the National Association for Down Syndrome urges the State of Illinois to do the same based on the severity of this virus.

NADS leadership is asking our community to reach out to their State Representatives and ask them to reinforce this information to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). NADS Executive Director Linda Smarto has reached out to the offices of Governor Pritzker, Senator Durbin and her own State Representative. We all need to make our voices heard, so we can provide the Down syndrome community access to the vaccine sooner rather than later.

Please join NADS in reaching out to your local legislators from your district by easily clicking THIS LINK and sending an urgent message with this request. Please feel free to use this sample template when sending a letter:

The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group – USA recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities who don’t have a specific contraindication to the vaccine. Providers at the Adult Down Syndrome Center agree with the statement.