All adults with learning disability to be offered Covid vaccine in priority u-turn
The Albino Foundation Public Notice
Decision could mean 150,000 more people will be prioritised for the vaccination.
All adults with a learning disability will be offered the vaccine against coronavirus after new advice from government experts warned they were at greater risk from the virus.
The decision is a major win for disability charities and campaigners, including DJ Jo Whiley, who has publicly called for mass vaccination for people with learning disabilities after her sister Frances was admitted to hospital last week.
The decision will mean as many as 150,000 more people could be offered the vaccine.
The JCVI had previously said only those were severe learning disabilities and those living in care homes should be prioritised for vaccinations. Disability rights campaigners and charities warned this left vulnerable people at increased risk from the virus.
An analysis of health records by the Open Safety analytics platform looked at outcomes from the second wave of the pandemic for patients using various different codes to identify people with a learning disability.
It confirmed a higher risk of death and complications for those registered with a learning disability.
The JCVI has also backed a plan for the NHS and local councils to identify adults living in care homes and residential settings who may need additional help to get the vaccine.
BBC Radio 2 presenter Whiley joined with charities including Mencap to call for mass vaccination of people with learning disabilities after research on deaths from Covid-19 showed they were more likely to die.
A report from Public Health England found people with a learning disability were up to six times more likely to die from Covid-19 and, in the 18-34 age group, their risk was 30 times higher.
Whiley was offered the vaccine before her sister Frances, who has a rare genetic syndrome and lives in residential care. She was admitted to hospital last week and at one stage was said to be fighting for her life, but has since been discharged from hospital and is doing well.