Back to Normal — For Some
The Public Health Emergency (PHE) designation for COVID-19 has come to end, signifying that the nation is moving on from pandemic life. While most Americans will be breathing a sigh of relief and feel adequately protected by current COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, this is not the case for everyone.
This moment remains perilous for immunocompromised individuals who remain at high risk even after vaccination and previous infections. For them, the end to the PHE designation doesn’t mean the end of COVID-19.
Who exactly are these immunocompromised individuals? This community is vast and varied, and may even be part of your everyday life – from your child’s teacher who received an organ transplant, to an old roommate on immunosuppressive medicines, to your sister’s friend going through active chemotherapy. Many of these individuals, and their loved ones, have continued practicing safety precautions and remaining isolated as the rest of the world has gone back to normal. While COVID-19 brought many of us together, this community has had to continue facing it all alone.
“The most difficult part of prioritizing my health throughout COVID-19 has been seeing my friends and family get back to normal while I continue taking intense precautions,” says LáDeia Joyce, a Type 2 diabetic who was diagnosed as HIV positive. “I take pride in having set and exercised boundaries to put my wellbeing first, but I miss sharing new experiences without having to worry about COVID-19 exposure. As someone who is immunocompromised, staying healthy will always be my top priority, but I miss the people, places and activities that I love.”
LáDeia’s fear of exposing herself to COVID-19 coupled with desperately wanting to foster new experiences with her family and friends is a shared feeling among the immunocompromised community. Others, like Crystal King, who received a kidney transplant during the pandemic and has battled chronic kidney disease since her teenage years, have voiced their hope to someday be more comfortable joining activities with family and friends as well.
“I watch friends experiencing all these ‘firsts’ with their children, and some of my favorite moments in life are creating those memories with my son. His little eyes widen each time we explore a new museum, visit the zoo or check out new books at the library. I’m hopeful that one day I’ll be able to create these memories with my son without having to worry about COVID-19 exposure and the implications that could have on my health.”
Standing with the IC community
Despite the end of the PHE, AstraZeneca remains committed to helping the diverse group of people who are immunocompromised. Up The Antibodies, will continue to provide up-to-date information for immunocompromised Americans like LáDeia and Crystal, helping the community to stay informed and advocate for their health while encouraging them share what their personal #MyCOVIDReality looks like today, as the COVID-19 landscape continues to change.
“While many Americans have moved on from the COVID-19 pandemic, the reality is that immunocompromised individuals simply do not have that luxury,” says Jorey Berry, President & CEO of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, one of our advocacy partners who has collaborated with Up The Antibodies since launch. “Together, we’re proud to continue advocating for the immunocompromised community so they feel supported navigating the path forward.”
For the latest from the Up the Antibodies campaign and information for patients to help them prepare for what is ahead, please visit https://www.uptheantibodies.com/. To learn more about clinical trials currently underway for COVID-19 therapeutics, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
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