Information About COVID-19 Vaccines for People with ALS

The Golden West Chapter continues to follow developments closely as new COVID-19 vaccines are approved and distribution plans are launched. We have created this web page as a hub for information and resources that will be updated regularly. This is to inform conversations between families with ALS and their medical teams as to both the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and the earliest possible availability of vaccination for people living with the disease, their caregivers, and others in their household. For the latest COVID-19 vaccination information, please visit these websites for California and for Hawaii.

IMPORTANT NEWS: The Chapter has worked tirelessly with the California Governor and legislators to ensure that people living with ALS and their caregivers have early access to the COVID-19 vaccine. After weeks of outreach and advocacy efforts, beginning April 15, expanded guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health will allow anyone over 16 to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Please reach out to your Chapter care manager with any questions or further information on how to schedule an appointment with your medical facility or at a vaccination site within your community.

In addition, the Golden West Chapter has also written to the Governor of Hawaii to advocate for early vaccine access on all islands. Currently in Hawaii, only individuals who are 60 years of age or older are eligible, but we continue to work with the state to push for access for those with a high risk condition like ALS.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has created this information page about COVID-19 vaccines, including helpful tips about getting your vaccine and what to expect afterwards.

Latest News

Visit this page to learn more about each state's vaccine distribution plan.
On February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. The EUA allows the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a single dose.
New data from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows veterans with ALS are three times more likely to die of COVID-19 than veterans without ALS. The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) and governors must make the vaccine available to people with ALS and caregivers as soon as possible. We have sent a letter to the CDC requesting this update in vaccine access and our chapters across the country are delivering this message to governors now.
New articles from the New York Times and The Atlantic have been added to our Resources page.
The ALS Association hosted a COVID-19 vaccine webinar for the ALS community, with panelists Dr. Lou Libby, Dr. Richard Bedlack, Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Dr. Urvai Desai and Dr. Marinella Galea, moderated by ALS Association Board of Trustees member Dr. Ken Menkhaus. The webinar addressed vaccine distribution and infection control issues that are specific to the concerns and interests of the ALS community. Watch here.

Information About COVID-19 Vaccines for People with ALS

Please reach out to your Chapter care manager with any questions or further information on how to schedule an appointment with your medical facility or at a vaccination site within your community.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has created this information page about COVID-19 vaccines, including helpful tips about getting your vaccine and what to expect afterwards.

Latest News

Visit this page to learn more about each state's vaccine distribution plan.
On February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. The EUA allows the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a single dose.
New data from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows veterans with ALS are three times more likely to die of COVID-19 than veterans without ALS. The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) and governors must make the vaccine available to people with ALS and caregivers as soon as possible. We have sent a letter to the CDC requesting this update in vaccine access and our chapters across the country are delivering this message to governors now.
New articles from the New York Times and The Atlantic have been added to our Resources page.
The ALS Association hosted a COVID-19 vaccine webinar for the ALS community, with panelists Dr. Lou Libby, Dr. Richard Bedlack, Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Dr. Urvai Desai and Dr. Marinella Galea, moderated by ALS Association Board of Trustees member Dr. Ken Menkhaus. The webinar addressed vaccine distribution and infection control issues that are specific to the concerns and interests of the ALS community. Watch here.

Resources

Below are additional resources you may find useful for informing your conversations and decisions with family, physicians and others. Check back frequently as we will update and add new resources as they become available.

--- Updated February 12, 2021.