Gerard Hasson, a member of a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities called Carousel Connections who works at Common Space in Ardmore, is looking forward to returning to normalcy after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine, writes Aubrey Whelan for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

But getting the vaccine was not as simple for Hasson and other people with intellectual disabilities.

Despite being at a much higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than the general population and also being more likely to die from the virus, the majority were not recommended for a higher vaccination priority by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After physicians and other advocacy groups continued to push for people with intellectual disabilities to be prioritized for vaccination, health officials in Philadelphia began to last month.

Hasson was happy to be among the early recipients of the vaccine.

“[When I heard about the vaccine], I was ready to go get it,” he said. “I can’t wait to hang out with people.”

He also has some advice for other people with intellectual disabilities who are getting ready to receive the shot.

“Don’t be nervous.”

Read more about Gerard Hasson and the Self-Advocacy Group in The Philadelphia Inquirer.