Data on COVID-19 risks and outcomes indicate people with diabetes have 3-4x the risk of severe complications or hospitalization, whether they have type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). DLC & DPAC submitted comments to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at its January 27, 2021, meeting, urging the agency to update its guidance accordingly.
Data clearly indicate COVID-19 does not distinguish between T1D and T2D; neither should the CDC. We respectfully ask ACIP to revise its guidance and help accelerate vaccination for people with T1D who are at serious risk of complications from COVID-19.
This evidence-based adjustment to the vaccine prioritization for people with T1D will facilitate more consistent vaccine rollout across the country.It will help remedy the current state-by-state interpretation patchwork that has patients confused and leaves public health authorities and frontline workers in the difficult position of “sorting” people with diabetes by type rather than their true risk level.Furthermore, the CDC will help accelerate vaccination of 1.6 million Americans with T1D by relying on science, rather than luck or guesswork.
