Charlie Baker’s administration continues to exclude type 1 diabetes from priority vaccination list in Massachusetts, despite evidence.
Obese smokers are included in Massachusetts’ priority #COVID #vaccination list. But not #Type1diabetics
If you “CHOSE” to smoke despite all those warning signs, you are eligible for priority COVID vaccination in #Massachusetts.
If you “CHOSE” to live a life that gave you type 2 diabetes, you are eligible for priority COVID vaccination in Massachusetts.
If you “CHOSE” to live a life that made you obese, you are eligible for priority COVID vaccination in Massachusetts.
It is possible that there are people who have the above conditions without having a choice. Which makes this all fair for them.
But
If you happen to suffer from an autoimmune condition, ABSOLUTELY BEYOND YOUR CHOICE, called Type 1 diabetes- which not only makes your every day life complicated (even excluding diabetes related complications) but makes you 3.5 times more likely to get hospitalized or die, compared to someone without diabetes- you are NOT eligible.
Following the latest evidence, New York and Tennessee included type 1 diabetes, the UK never made a difference. But Baker’s administration initially excluded what I call “COMMON SENSE” condition like Asthma. Finally they were open to include it for phase 2 vaccinations that start tomorrow. But not #type1diabetes.
“If we get guidance and advice from other folks in the medical community about other stuff, we’ll certainly take it under advisement,” Baker said. “But this asthma issue is a legitimate issue, and it’s a legitimate equity issue and we want it dealt with right out of the gate.” HE MADE NO COMMENT ON THE TYPE 1 DIABETES ISSUE.
So what evidence will this administration need to call T1d a “legitimate equity issue”?
T1Ds are dying in your state for high insulin costs- you do not see the issue with equity here, Mr. Baker?
I have attached the letter and further evidence. Contact your local representative, or Charlie Baker’s office, and demand an urgent change of this horrific policy.
Evidence:
- Letter from American Diabetes Association to Baker admin below.
2. Baker’s response to it: https://www.boston.com/.../massachusetts-vaccine-rollout...
3. Rising price for insulin, govt data: https://www.mass.gov/.../hpc-datapoints-issue-11-insulin...
4. Human cost of insulin: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47491964
5.. Protests against deaths of Type 1 diabetics from high price of insulin: https://www.wbur.org/.../2018/05/11/insulin-prices-protest
6. Links to T1D deaths in the US: https://rightcarealliance.org/actions/insulin/