Covid-19 Updates

Masks are required indoors at the DSAGC for everyone over 2 years old (with the exception for those with sensory triggers). Please stay home if you are sick or have recently been exposed to someone with Covid-19. At this time, we recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities who do not have a specific contraindication to the vaccine.

The Covid-19 Vaccine is now available to anyone age 5 and older.

UCCEDD Covid-19 Vaccine information and resources.

Cincinnati Children's Vaccine Scheduling

The Covid-19 Vaccine BOOSTER (third dose) is now available for select groups.

UCCEDD Booster Vaccine information and resources

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati is proud to share the valuable, free COVID-19 & Down Syndrome Resource in English and Spanish published by GLOBAL and the national consortium. The Resource focuses on new and updated information specific to testing, vaccines, mental health, ways to stay safe, and advocacy in hospital settings and for appropriate care.

We applaud the national consortium of Down syndrome organizations for creating this important resource for community. Please remember we are here for you during this difficult time and do not hesitate to call or email.

DSMIG-USA Intellectual and Developmental Disability COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement

Updated - May 28, 2021

Our world has been extensively changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus has altered many aspects of our daily lives and impacted our physical, mental, and social well-being. It has caused a great deal of illness and death. Over 580,000 people in the United States and over 3.3 million people worldwide have died from COVID-19. Sadly, people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general population (1,2).

For months, it seemed like there was no end in sight. Fortunately, COVID-19 vaccines are now becoming available, and we are rapidly moving in a positive direction. COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer- BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson received Emergency Use Authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated, “Certainly it’s not going to be a pandemic for a lot longer, because I believe the vaccines are going to turn that around. Vaccines will help us. What we’ve got to do is just hang on and continue to double down on the public health measures” (3).

Like Dr. Fauci, we are hopeful that the vaccine will be a major contributor to the end of the pandemic. However, some have expressed concern about whether the vaccine is safe for people with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities.

At this time, we recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities who do not have a specific contraindication to the vaccine (as described below).

Our recommendation is consistent with national and local guidelines for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This document contains additional information supporting our recommendation as well as answers to questions we have received. If individuals with Down syndrome or another intellectual disability have concerns about the vaccine, we recommend discussing their concerns with their health care provider.

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