Down syndrome and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Expand Not enough is known about COVID-19 to make informed and accurate comment about any specific link or effects it may have on people with Down syndrome. DSi is keeping up to date with information from relevant health and scientific organisations. The current advice for people with Down syndrome is the same as for everyone else - to follow local guidance in terms of precautions, dependent on an individual's personal risk category. This advice may vary between countries and regions. A common theme is the necessity for hand washing, social distancing and staying at home as much as possible to avoid exposure. “There is no evidence at the moment of people who have Down syndrome being at particular risk of this coronavirus, though of course people who have Down syndrome may be more at risk from infections generally and respiratory infections in particular. However there is evidence to suggest it may pose a greater risk to those with other chronic health conditions, including pre-existing respiratory conditions, heart disease, diabetes, and immunodeficiency. A number of children and adults who have Down syndrome will fall within these higher risk groups.” - Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG) UK and Ireland “Down syndrome is a highly variable condition and everyone is different. However, overall, people with Down syndrome have fewer cells providing active surveillance in the immune system. We also know that people with Down syndrome may mount immune responses more slowly than the general population and it is possible that this is more pronounced with ageing (as in the general population).” - Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS)T21RS offer 3 recommendations for individuals with Down syndrome: Avoid exposure as much as is possible through social distancing. Everyone with Down syndrome with significant additional health issues should be self-isolating if possible. Ensure equitable access to healthcare and treat people with Down syndrome the same as all others. If there is any doubt about a change in the health of someone with Down syndrome, seek clinical advice immediately.
SÃndrome de Down y Coronavirus (COVID-19) Expand No se sabe lo suficiente sobre COVID-19 para hacer comentarios informados y precisos sobre cualquier vínculo o efectos específicos que pueda tener en las personas con síndrome de Down. DSi se mantiene actualizada con información de organizaciones científicas y de salud relevantes. “No hay evidencia en este momento de que las personas con síndrome de Down corran un riesgo particular de este coronavirus, aunque, por supuesto, las personas con síndrome de Down pueden estar más riesgo de infecciones en general y de infecciones respiratorias en particular. Sin embargo, hay evidencia que sugiere que puede presentar un mayor riesgo para las personas con otras afecciones de salud crónicas, incluidas afecciones respiratorias preexistentes, enfermedades cardíacas, diabetes e inmunodeficiencia. Varios niños y adultos que tienen síndrome de Down caerán dentro de estos grupos de mayor riesgo.” - Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG) UK and Ireland
Rights of people with Down syndrome and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Expand Similar to all humanitarian emergencies, we are aware that people with disabilities, including people with Down syndrome, are at higher risk of being impacted by this situation and less likely to be included in response plans. It is important that commitments to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are upheld at this time to ensure that the COVID-19 response is disability inclusive. While we recognise the need for all State parties (Governments) to put in place strong measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, these measures must not be implemented at the expense of the rights of people with Down syndrome. We strongly encourage all State parties to remember their commitments to the UN CRPD and SDGs, to ensure that they 'Leave no one behind' in their responses to the virus. Some key considerations: People with Down syndrome have an equal right to live and receive quality healthcare. State parties must ensure that no one is denied treatment or given substandard treatment on the basis of their disability (CRPD Articles 12 - Right to Life and 25 - Health); People with Down syndrome have the right to information about the situation with COVID-19 and responses to it in their country in formats that they can understand (CRPD Article 21 - Freedom of expression and opinion and access to information); People with Down syndrome have the right to live in the community in a place of their choosing (CRPD Article 19 - Living independently and being included in the community). They must be provided with the support they need to continue exercising this right. We call upon the global community to ensure these basic rights are ensured at this difficult time. DSi is working with the disability community and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to ensure a disability inclusive response to the COVID-19 crisis. Resources Statement on COVID-19 and the human rights of persons with disabilities – from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) COVID 19 and the disability movement - updates and resources produced by the International Disability Alliance Voices of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak - personal accounts from persons with disabilities about the impact of COVID-19 on their lives produced by the International Disability Alliance
Derechos de las personas con sÃndrome de Down y Coronavirus (COVID-19) Expand Al igual que todas las emergencias humanitarias, somos conscientes de que las personas con discapacidad, incluidas las personas con síndrome de Down, tienen un mayor riesgo de verse afectadas por esta situación y es menos probable que se las incluya en los planes de respuesta. Es importante que los compromisos con la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (CDPD) y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) se cumplan en este momento para garantizar que la respuesta de COVID-19 incluya la discapacidad. Si bien reconocemos la necesidad de que todos los Estados partes (gobiernos) establezcan medidas firmes para combatir la propagación de COVID-19, estas medidas no deben implementarse a expensas de los derechos de las personas con síndrome de Down. Alentamos encarecidamente a todos los Estados partes a que recuerden sus compromisos con la CDPD de la ONU y los ODS, para asegurarse de que 'No dejen a nadie atrás' en sus respuestas al virus. Algunas consideraciones clave: Las personas con síndrome de Down tienen el mismo derecho a vivir y recibir atención médica de calidad. Los Estados partes deben asegurarse de que a nadie se le niegue el tratamiento o se le dé un tratamiento deficiente por su discapacidad (Artículos 12 de la CDPD - Derecho a la vida y 25 - Salud); Las personas con síndrome de Down tienen derecho a información sobre la situación con COVID-19 y las respuestas a la misma en su país en formatos que puedan entender (Artículo 21 de la CDPD - Libertad de expresión y opinión y acceso a la información); Las personas con síndrome de Down tienen derecho a vivir en la comunidad en un lugar de su elección (Artículo 19 de la CDPD: Vivir de forma independiente y ser incluido en la comunidad). Se les debe proporcionar el apoyo que necesitan para continuar ejerciendo este derecho. Hacemos un llamado a la comunidad global para garantizar que estos derechos básicos estén garantizados en este momento difícil. DSi está trabajando con la comunidad de personas con discapacidad y la Alianza Internacional de Discapacidad (IDA) para garantizar una respuesta inclusiva de la discapacidad a la crisis COVID-19. Recursos Declaración sobre COVID-19 y los derechos humanos de las personas con discapacidad – de la United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) COVID-19 y el movimiento de la discapacidad -actualizaciones y recursos producidos por International Disability Alliance Voces de personas con discapacidad durante el brote de COVID-19 - relatos personales de personas con discapacidad sobre el impacto del COVID-19 en sus vidas producidos por International Disability Alliance
Useful resources for living during the pandemic Expand Avoiding myths and misinformation When looking for information about COVID-19, to ensure that it is accurate and reliable, it should only be sourced from trustworthy organisations, for example the World Health Organization (WHO), national health authorities and leading disability organisations. Updates and global information Rolling updates on the COVID-19 situation and comprehensive information about all aspects of COVID-19 and the pandemic can be found on the World Health Organization website: FIND HERE Information is also available from the following continental groups: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) What is Coronavirus (COVID-19) Easy-to-read information about Coronavirus - an easy read guide developed by Inclusion Europe, available in many languages. Coronavirus. What is it? How to stay safe - an easy read guide developed by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Coronavirus (Covid-19) - a fact sheet developed by National Down Syndrome Society, United States. COVID-19 virtual series - online webinars presented by The Matthew Foundation in collaboration with the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center Q&A on COVID-19 and Down syndrome - question and answer sheet produced by DSMIG-USA and by National Down Syndrome Society Staying healthy COVID-19: 5 ways to help prevent the spread - a video created by the European Commission with international sign. Coronavirus safety - a video by Alex Snedden from New Zealand. Social distancing - an easy read guide developed by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Wearing a mask - an easy read guide developed by the Council for Intellectual Disability Australia Learning and education Learning at home - produced by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Learning resources - produced by Down Syndrome Australia. Educational resources - produced by National Down Syndrome Society. Planning for your child's return to school - produced by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Coronavirus and coping for children - produced by Down Syndrome Australia. Online safety Staying safe online - Easy Read guide produced by eSafety Commissioner of the Australian Government The COVID-19 Global Online Safety Advice for Parents and Carers - produced by Europol Leisure time Keeping fit and healthy at home - produced by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Mental health and wellness - produced by Down Syndrome Australia. Fun and relaxing things to do at home - produced by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Support with care and finances For support with care and finances related to COVID-19 we strongly advise making contact with a Down syndrome organisation where you are. You can find an organisation near to you in our Global Contacts map: GLOBAL CONTACTS
COVID-19 vaccines Expand COVID vaccines are there to protect people from getting a very serious illness. There are several different vaccines around the world which can prevent people from getting COVID-19. All vaccines have been tested on a large number of people to check they are safe and they are effective at preventing the illness. As far as we are aware from our global contacts, there are no adverse effects of having the vaccine that specifically relate to people with Down syndrome. If anyone has concerns about getting the vaccine, they should think about the danger of getting the illness and any concerns should be discussed with their doctor who can provide them with information. In an interview by Katie Matthews, who has Down syndrome, Dr Roger Banks from the UK NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Programme provides some helpful information about: What is a vaccine; How are vaccinations made; Why you should get a vaccine; How you should decide whether to get a vaccine. The effect of the vaccine in people with Down syndrome A published research study has shown that adults with Down syndrome produce fewer antibodies after two coronavirus vaccinations (Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca) compared to people without Down syndrome. All adult participants produced antibodies four weeks after the two COVID vaccinations. The antibody concentrations in adults with Down syndrome are lower than in people without Down syndrome. This effect was seen after the mRNA vaccinations, Moderna or Pfizer, but also after AstraZeneca vaccination. In addition, it was found that after a Moderna or Pfizer vaccination, the antibody concentration decreased with increasing age. The results have been presented to the Netherlands Health Council in the form of an advisory report. Based on this advisory report, among other things, the Health Council has decided to offer people with Down syndrome additional vaccinations. You can read the full article published in the Journal of Infectious DIseases here: Full article
Advocating for COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritisation Expand We have produced a COVID-19 vaccination advocacy toolkit to help our supporters advocate for the necessary prioritisation of people with Down syndrome in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in countries worldwide. The toolkit includes: what we can do together to create a united global voice; potential advocacy activities; evidence to support the prioritisation of people with Down syndrome; what health and research organisations are doing; what disability and advocacy organisations are doing; supporting materials including letter templates. If you would like to access this toolkit please complete the COVID-19 response updates form: SIGN UP FOR COVID-19 UPDATES