People with learning disabilities and autism are now able to get their life-saving COVID-19 vaccine at a number of expertly adapted sessions running in the Black Country, as NHS organisations across the Midlands continue their work to ensure that everyone eligible takes-up their offer of the lifesaving vaccine.

There are over 60,000 people on the Learning Disability Register across the Midlands.

The Learning Disability Register is held by family doctors to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive extra support and all-round better healthcare by ensuring that GPs and other healthcare professionals better document, understand and consider their needs at every interaction.

And while over two-thirds of those registered have already come forward to receive their vaccine, NHS organisations across the Midlands are stepping-up their efforts to encourage those who have not yet come forward to do so.

The NHS in the Black Country and West Birmingham has launched a special COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Tipton Sports Academy for people with learning disabilities and their carers. The clinic will run every Tuesday from 6 – 30 April.

As a well-known landmark close to good transport links, the venue in Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton has proved to be a strong choice to support the work of the NHS in delivering the vaccine to the local community.

The sessions, which are led by specialist nurses at the Tipton Sports Academy, have been expertly adapted to make them as comfortable as possible for people with learning disabilities and autism to encourage them to come forward to receive their vaccine. Reasonable adjustments will be put in place where relevant, to make the surroundings more suitable for people with a particular need.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse for Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs, said:
“We recognise that some people may not have come forward for their vaccination because they have a particular need which we have not yet been able to meet. That’s why we are putting on these special clinics, so that people who need language, communication or environmental adjustments can come forward in greater comfort.

“For example, our clinics for people with learning disabilities and their carers will offer a quieter environment and longer appointment slots, so that we can take time to explain the process to people who may find it difficult to understand in a regular clinic.

“If you are eligible and have not yet taken up the offer of a COVID-19 vaccination, please make an appointment or just walk in when the schedule meets your need, but please don’t forget to bring proof of your eligibility with you.”
Appointments at the special clinics can be booked on 0121 796 1504, or eligible people can just walk in without an appointment, between 8:00am and 7:00pm. People should also bring along evidence of their eligibility to be vaccinated, otherwise they will not be admitted.

Alison Tonge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme in the Midlands, said: “An amazing five million people have already come forward to receive at least their first dose of the vaccine here in the Midlands, as our region continues to lead the way as our NHS rolls out the largest vaccination programme in its history.

“And while the vast majority of everyone who is eligible to receive their vaccine has already come forward, NHS organisations across the region are working hard to ensure that no-one is left behind.

“We know that the pandemic has disproportionately affected many of the most vulnerable people in society, with those with learning disabilities and autism among some of those hardest hit.

“Adults with a learning disability on their GP’s learning disability register can have the Coronavirus vaccine now and I would encourage anyone who is eligible and has not yet received their vaccine to come forward to receive theirs.”

Recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) data showed that people with learning disabilities were over three-and-a-half times more likely than others to die from COVID-19.

The impact that the pandemic has had on those people remains a focus for NHS organisations across the Midlands, with many finding a number of innovative ways to encourage people with a learning disability or autism to receive their vaccine.

Anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination can book their appointment using the NHS national booking service online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Anyone with a learning disability or autism and those who care for someone with a learning disability or autism can also call the 119 booking hotline or speak to their local GP direct.