Iran vaccinates autistic people against Corona

Hooman Abedi
Press TV, Tehran

The vaccination for COVID-19 is underway in Iran and up to now over three million people have received the first dose of the vaccine and over half a million have taken both doses.

The vulnerable groups including those suffering from special diseases are given priority. People who are suffering from a developmental disorder have difficulties with social interaction and communication. They are autistic. The disease is characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

Coordinated by the country’s autism society, they are introduced to this hospital in Tehran to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

People suffering from autism should be educated at special centers and need special care services. The autism society members told Press TV that their number one problem is the sanctions which have made the import of medicines for the patients extremely tough.

Some 70,000 patients of rare diseases have received the COVID-19 vaccine so far. The number of rare diseases identified in Iran is 332 and thousands of people are covered by several foundations. Out of every thousand, 2 people get a rare disease, while the prevalence can be curbed by raising awareness.

Out of every 150 kids born in Iran one is suffering from Autism. It means that over half a percent of the country’s population have the disorder.

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