Prioritising those with learning disabilities

Jo Wiley's plight over her sister Frances' contraction of COVID-19 has been widely reported on social media this weekend. Her family have bravely shared Frances' story throughout the pandemic to highlight the disparity that those suffering from learning disabilities often face within society. Despite being highly vulnerable, only those suffering from severe learning disabilities were  in priority group 6 for the COVID-19 vaccine. This did not include those with mild or moderate learning disabilities, even though they too are more susceptible to contracting the virus.

Great news that the government have announced the wider vulnerable group have now been prioritised and all those on GP registers for learning disability are to be invited for the vaccine. This move highlights the importance of ensuring any individual who suffers from a learning disability is known to their local GP or on the GP register so that they can be included in the earlier roll out. 

Priority group 6 also includes adult carers for the elderly or a disabled person, it is therefore again important to ensure your GP is aware if you are involved in this support role.