Janet needs to get the coronavirus vaccine. She is 74 and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She leaves the house rarely, only to pick up her medicines in the pharmacy drive-thru. She has caregivers coming in to help her that may have been exposed to coronavirus themselves, so between that and her COPD, she won’t feel safe until she is vaccinated.
Janet asked her pulmonary doctor about the vaccine, but they’re not giving shots directly. She is concerned about going out and getting the COVID vaccine elsewhere, and taking a chance at getting exposed. And even if she could do so, she is having trouble figuring out how to sign up to even get one and heard that there are long waits and shortages for those who do.
When the Most Vulnerable Need to Get Vaccinated, But Can’t
Seniors similar to Janet in our example are among a population that needs to get vaccinated the most. Although they are not able to get out of their homes generally, they are still coming into contact with people who might be at risk of infecting them with COVID who provide care for them and bring/make them meals. Why has it been so difficult for seniors to get vaccinated?
Barriers Faced by Seniors Trying to get the COVID-19 Vaccine
