COVID-19 Protection Is Personal When You’re High Risk

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, my life changed forever. Although it’s been years since the pandemic ended and many people have now returned to their “normal” lives, I still have to remain cautious. That’s because I live with several chronic illnesses like pulmonary arterial hypertension and systemic sclerosis.

Before I abruptly became disabled due to the late diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension and severe heart failure, I worked in health care as a diagnostic medical sonographer. I loved my career; however, the symptoms of my chronic conditions make it challenging to work in person. For instance, pulmonary arterial hypertension has led to heart failure, which makes some activities more difficult. Abandoning my career weighs heavily on me, but more ability to work and attend college from home sparks new hope.

The COVID-19 pandemic was scary for people like me with chronic health conditions and older adults, as the risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms is higher. Before the COVID-19 vaccine was available, I had to be extremely cautious about leaving the house and that caution extended to my loved ones as well. My child switched to online school, and my boyfriend moved in with his parents because he still had to work in-person during lockdown. Even when restrictions eased up somewhat, we remained cautious and mostly apart from the outside world.

When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available, I immediately signed up. I literally sat outside of a doctor’s office and waited for someone to be a no-show. Receiving my initial COVID-19 vaccine series helped me feel more prepared, as it meant I wasn’t completely helpless against the virus. Working with my health care provider over the years to stay up to date with my COVID-19 vaccines has helped me maintain some protection against serious illness, as the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve. The updated vaccines are made to help our immune systems better recognize and defend against the CDC-recommended variant.

Through all our safeguards, in 2023, I contracted COVID-19. My family and I were deeply concerned about how my body would handle it. Although recovery took a long time, I eventually got back to doing what I love: spending time with my family and advocating for the rare disease community. Currently, I volunteer with several nonprofits and write a column for Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) News. I love patient advocacy, which is why speaking about vaccination for COVID-19 is so important, given the vaccine helps reduce the severity of disease if you do get COVID-19.

Although many people brush off COVID-19 infections like they’re the common cold, it’s still a concern for people at high risk for serious illness. This list includes people who are 65 years old or older or have:

• Cancer
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Immunocompromising health conditions
• To see the complete list, please click here to visit the Centers for Disease Control website.

For people like me, COVID-19 is still “real,” and COVID-19 vaccines are one critical tool I use to help protect myself.

Although it can be inconvenient for some, staying vaccinated can help protect you and your loved ones. If you feel well, you can still have and spread the COVID-19 virus. Vaccination can help reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes from infection and is a great tool we have as individuals to help protect ourselves without having to do anything extra day-to-day. The updated vaccines don’t just help reduce your risk of severe illness; they also help lower your chances of developing long-lasting symptoms, known as Long COVID.

That’s why I continue to share my story and encourage others to stay up to date on their vaccines.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit CDC.gov. To find a vaccine near you, visit the Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) vaccine locator.