People with learning disabilities - Confident COVID vaccine conversations: Healthy London Partnership
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in partnership with
Confident COVID vaccine conversations:
People with learning disabilities
Learning disability associated conditions include Down's syndrome, Williams syndrome,
Autism and Asperger’s, GDD and Cerebral palsy but not learning difficulties such as dyslexia,
ADHD or Dyspraxia
Last updated:
For health, public health and social care professionals 17 Feb 2022 FV
People with learning disabilities – Data and insights
From Dec 2020 to Jan 2021 COVID-related deaths for
people with a learning disability were dramatically
Data higher than the general population in England and Insights
Wales
COVID-19 deaths for people
with learning disabilities was People with learning disability have markedly increased risks
3.6 times higher than in the of hospital admission and death from COVID-19, over and
general population. above the risks observed for non-COVID causes of death.
(Source: COVID 19 deaths of people Prompt access to COVID-19 testing and healthcare is
identified as having learning disabilities:
summary - GOV.UK Nov 2020) warranted for this vulnerable group, and prioritisation for
COVID-19 vaccination and other targeted preventive
measures should be considered. (Source: people with learning disability:
population based cohort study - PubMed)
A recent study found that during
the 1st wave in England, people People with learning disabilities experience poorer outcomes
with learning disabilities with (Source: Learning disabilities and COVID-19 | Local Government and poorer access to health and care services more
COVID-19 were five times Association) generally, than the general population and this has been
more likely to be admitted to exacerbated by the pandemic.
hospital and eight times more Numbers of deaths for people with a learning disability
likely to die than the general in England and Wales between 21 March and 5 June
2020, with COVID-19 and from other causes, and average
People with a learning disability may take longer to learn and
population. may need support to understand complicated information
for 2 previous years (baseline).
(Source: COVID 19: People with learning
disabilities are highly vulnerable | The BMJ)
and interact with other people. (Source: Mencap)
In England, data from Learning Disabilities Mortality Report 2019 found that people
December 2020 and January with a learning disability were four times more likely to die of
2021 shows that the death a treatable healthcare condition that those without a
rate from COVID-19 for people learning disability, and that despite some pockets of excellent
aged 18 to 34 with learning practice, a lack of reasonable adjustments remained one of
disabilities was 30 times the biggest reasons why people with a learning disability
higher than the rate in the can still find it difficult to access care.
same age group without
disabilities
(Source: Learning disabilities and COVID-19 | (Source: OVID deaths of people with learning
Local Government Association - 2021) disabilities (- 2020 Gov.uk)
People with learning disabilities – Barriers and strategies to overcome them
What care givers and Strategies
Barriers
health professionals
said..… Anxiety about vaccine
Involve the person’s family and supporters, provide accessible information on the
and the person’s ability
“I have concerns about them vaccine, the vaccination process and encourage supporters and family carers to go
to cope
having the vaccine due to through the information and prepare with the person beforehand.
potential side effects & a lack
of testing on people with Anxiety if carers cannot Make arrangements for support to be provided and communicate clearly so people
disabilities.” with learning disabilities and their carers know what to expect.
accompany people with learning
difficulties into vaccination sites
(for IPC or capacity reasons
Deliver the vaccine in a familiar primary care or community
“Their challenging behaviour setting, with a quiet area for waiting and capacity for support,
is a big worry and if they kick Anxiety regarding the location,
this will help many who would simply not cope with a large-
off at a vaccine hub it will accessibility and environment
scale vaccination centre.
cause no end of problems as at the vaccination clinic
they are big.”
Make sure any written information, or
Anxiety regarding contact regarding the appointment, is done
“They have a chronic fear of missing the in a way the person can understand, and
needles – is a nasal spray appointment follow up on any missed appointments for
available?” people with a learning disability.
Anxiety about the
Provide Easyread,
vaccines and their
“A vaccination centre will be culturally competent
effect on health
too big, too loud and they will information in multiple
conditions
not cope.” languages including BSL
(Source: Supporting people with a learning disability to access
the vaccine- advice for primary care staff - Mencap)
(Source: Mencap webinar 2021)
Key COVID vaccine information and useful resources
What are the benefits of COVID Are the COVID vaccines safe? How to book a COVID-19
vaccinations? vaccination appointment
• Billions of people have been safely vaccinated
Vaccination allows you to develop immunity in a Anyone aged 16 or over can book their first,
against COVID-19 around the world .
safe and controlled way, without being ill with second and booster (or third dose)
• Like all medicines and vaccines, the COVID vaccines
COVID-19 and passing it onto others.
underwent extensive and rigorous multi-stage appointment Or by
COVID vaccines: testing through clinical trials. online on the calling
• protect against serious illness, hospitalisation and • The COVID vaccines are continually monitored for NHS website 119
death - people who are unvaccinated are up to safety and effectiveness. In the UK this is done by the
eight times more likely to be hospitalised with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
COVID-19 Agency (MHRA). You need to be registered with a GP to book an
• reduce the likelihood of you getting COVID-19 • Serious adverse reactions and side effects are appointment online
• reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others, extremely rare and are investigated. Remember that If you are not registered with a GP you can get a
including people who are more vulnerable COVID-19 disease itself can cause serious COVID vaccination at a walk-in or pop-up centre,
• strongly recommended in pregnancy as this is complications in the short term and Long COVID. where there are no ID checks and your immigration
the best way to protect against the known risks of • COVID vaccines were tested on tens of thousands status is not relevant.
COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and of men and women from different ethnic backgrounds
babies, including admission of the woman to and there is no evidence any of the vaccines will
intensive care and premature birth of the baby work differently in different ethnic groups. More information and support
• reduce the risk of developing Long COVID – a • COVID vaccines do not contain the live virus that
UK study of double-vaccinated adults showed a causes COVID-19 and can be used by everybody, • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS
41% lower likelihood of reporting Long COVID than including immunocompromised individuals or people • COVID-19 vaccination guides – UKHSA – translations
unvaccinated people with autoimmune disease. and easyread available
Even if you have already had COVID-19, getting the • Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines - WHO
COVID vaccine will give you extra protection, • COVID-19 vaccine questions - British Society for
stimulating a stronger and longer lasting immune Immunology
response than natural infection, which will help against • COVID-19 vaccine resource links – MECC
any future new variants. • MECC – Short COVID vaccine conversations
For those who have yet to take up their first or second • COVID-19 fertility and pregnancy - public – RCOG
dose, it is never too late to come forward – every dose • COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy – for
counts. professionals – RCOG
People with learning disabilities – Targeted activity and further resources
Targeted activity Information, guidance
in London and resources
Useful resources
Following a review of the impact of COVID Latest COVID vaccine information • COVID-19 vaccination: easy-read
on people with learning disabilities • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS leaflets - GOV.UK
carried out by OHID, NHS and ADDASS, • COVID-19 vaccination guides – UKHSA – • Coronavirus (COVID-19):
below are some of the actions now in translations and easyread available guidance for care staff supporting
place to support vaccine uptake. • Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines - WHO adults with learning disabilities
• COVID-19 vaccine questions - British and autistic adults - GOV.UK
• Bespoke clinics and outreach Society for Immunology (www.gov.uk)
services to maximise contact • COVID-19 vaccine resource links – MECC • COVID-19 guide for care staff
• Extended appointment times with the • MECC – Short COVID vaccine supporting adults with learning
support of a learning disabilities nurse conversations disabilities or autistic adults
in vaccination centres • COVID-19 fertility and pregnancy - public – (scie.org.uk)
• Vaccination teams visiting special RCOG • Easy Read Accessible Information
needs schools • COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy – for About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Sedation clinics to help with needle professionals – RCOG For People With A Learning
phobia Disability, Families, Carers and
• Using specialist learning disability Videos Support Workers| Mencap
pharmacists within community
• Young People Vaccines - social media • Coronavirus (COVID-19): Vaccine
pharmacy | Mencap
Q&A video – UKHSA
• Ongoing work with MENCAP • Kings Health Partners Learning
• Information about vaccines: For people with
• Social housing officers to be trained Disabilities COVID-19 resources
a learning disability and autistic people -
on the booster programme
YouTube • Covid-19 vaccine - accessibility
• Targeted residential care and reasonable adjustments for
Sign Language resources (BSL) individuals with severe learning
(Source: Learning Disability and Autism strategic partnership
board meeting - 17/12/21) disabilities whose behaviour
• COVID-19 vaccination: British Sign challenges
Language resources - GOV.UK (challengingbehaviour.org.uk)
(www.gov.uk)
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