What is a COVID-19 variant?
A COVID-19 variant is a version of the COVID-19 virus that’s just a little different from the version before it. Some of the most common differences are that COVID-19 variants can spread faster and more easily and can also make you sicker. For example, the Alpha variant spread just a little faster than the original version of the COVID-19 virus.
Two of the variants that you might hear a lot about are the Delta and Omicron variants. That is because both of these variants spread easily and can make you very sick.
Variants of viruses are common. People with disabilities may be at a higher risk of getting COVID-19 and they are also at higher risk of getting COVID-19 variants.
Hear from champions in your community.
As a person with a disability, how can I protect myself from COVID-19 variants?
The best way for people with disabilities to protect themselves from COVID-19 variants is by getting a vaccine. A vaccine may not stop you from getting sick, but it will help lower the risk that you will get very sick and go to the hospital with a COVID-19 variant.
If you have already gotten your vaccine, getting a booster shot is another way you can help protect yourself from COVID-19 variants. This makes your immune system stronger to fight the virus. Learn more about booster shots from our previous e-newsletter.
Talk to your doctor, or another medical provider you trust, about which COVID-19 vaccine is the best for you. If you need help scheduling your vaccine, have questions, or are experiencing difficulty with getting your vaccine, you can call the SC Disability Vaccine Access Hotline (1-800-787-6046).
Information source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 1). What You Need to Know About Variants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html.
Make your vaccination plan today
The SC Disability Vaccine Access Network is here to help reduce barriers to vaccine access. Learn more about how to make an appointment at SCDisabilityVaccine.org or call us at 1-800-787-6046 for more information.
Contact our Vaccine Access Helpline at 1-800-787-6046.
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