If you are a self advocate with Down syndrome (Ds), a family member, paid caregiver, advocacy group and/or organization, Alberta Member of Parliament, friend of someone with Ds or are interested, please consider signing this petition. Our engagement is crucial, in having all of Alberta's adults with Down syndrome, their family caregivers, and their paid care providers prioritized in Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine.  The timing and allocation of these three combined groups, receiving the vaccine at the same time, is vitally important in the overall health and well being for adults with Down syndrome.  

People with Down syndrome are at a high risk for contracting COVID-19, being hospitalized for COVID-19, and passing away from COVID-19.  Scientific medical studies published since October 2020, consistently have found that adults with Down syndrome are 5 times more likely to be hospitalized and 10 times more likely to die.  Due to their genetics, their medical age is many decades older than their chronological age.  In fact, the international Trisomy 21 Research Society reported the risk with Ds aged 40, is comparable to the general population aged 80.  Given the high risk to people with Down syndrome, it is urgent that they are included on the priority vaccine list in Alberta and Canada.  Many other countries around the world have already put them at the top of the list, but that has not happened here. 

Please sign and share this petition, to help our members of the Alberta government and the Canadian Parliament, understand the urgency of this situation, and show your support for this vulnerable group who has been forgotten!