What do Older Adults & People with Disabilities Need to Know?

People who are 65 or older are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because immune systems change with age, making it harder to fight off diseases and infection. Older adults also are more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness.

In addition, people of any age who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility are at higher risk.

Other people who may be at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, regardless of age or disability, include:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate-to-severe asthmaPeople who have serious heart conditionsPeople with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40)People with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at riskPeople who are immunocompromised. 

Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications including people receiving cancer treatment

Reducing exposure is especially important for people at higher risk of complications!

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