More than half of Louisiana’s adult population will soon be eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine after state leaders increased admissions to overweight and obese adults.
Government John Bel Edwards has announced that the changes that went into effect on Tuesday include people with a wide range of chronic health problems that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19, including being overweight or obese.
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 and is calculated using a person’s body weight in relation to their height, while gender is also calculated. Someone who is overweight has a BMI between 25 and younger than 30.
For example, a man with a weight of about 191 kg and a BMI of about 30. A person of the same height and a weight of about 160 to 190 pounds would be considered overweight.
This CDC calculator can help you understand your BMI.
Louisiana has one of the highest rates of obesity in the country. About 36% of Louisiana adults are obese, and a similar percentage of adults are overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Medical experts said it is higher than a normal weight, but it increases the risk of severe COVID-19. Those are also at higher risk for other chronic health conditions associated with the worse outcomes of the disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and kidney problems.
People over 55 who were overweight were eligible for the vaccine last month, and the new guidelines would give Louisians as young as 16 – in some cases – access to the shots.
The vaccine made by Pfizer is the only shot approved for people 16 years and older.
More than 1.6 million people in Louisiana have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest data from the Department of Health.
Government John Bel Edwards said people aged 16 and over with certain health conditions are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, …