Vaccination for LD

[Tuop]

Hi it would be really helpful to know the exact criteria for vaccination of those with learning disability My daughter has autism social communication disorder IQ of 50 so clearly learning disability. She also suffers with clinical hypochondria and OCD around germs. Both her mental health and ours have suffered greatly with her fear during this pandemic of leaving the house I do not understand why she does not qualify under group 6 yet many seem to have been offered the vaccine in different areas. Surely the rights of the disabled cannot become a postcode lottery There must be clear and transparent guidelines Thank you

[Sarah_Mencap]

Hello @Tuop

For the priority list it isn't about IQ, but about the risk people face if they catch coronavirus.

Mencap is calling for everyone with a learning disability to be included in (at least) Group 6 on the vaccine priority list.

Only those with a severe or profound learning disability and adults with Down’s syndrome are on the priority list at the moment.

So, if your daughter isn't in these categories, she will be listed as having a mild or moderate learning disability. This will mean, currently, she isn't on the priority list at all.

Mencap are campaigning to change this and we are hoping the guidance will changed. I will update you if I get any more information about this.

It might be worth asking your GP if they can help and let them know your worries about this. It does seem to vary in different places, and some areas are much further ahead with the roll out of the vaccine. But the advice about people with mild and moderate learning disabilities is the same everywhere.

Best wishes

Sarah

[Hidden]

Hi there my son lives at he’s own home with 16 Carers 24/7 the carers change shifts in and out all the time. My son is at high risk due to that. He is 26 severe autism , IQ is not usually relevant, what’s relevant is the risks.

They assess those.

Unfortunately thousands of people with disabilities aren’t being prioritised that’s the government nothing whatsoever to do with postcode,who do not view my son and your daughter and the rest as human beings and important. Look at what the hospitals are putting in place DNR people with disabilities, it’s an abomination. Anyway my son’s staff all have had the vaccine including me who are part of he’s care team, but he has not. We have asked and asked our ccg and Gp and yet he still has not been given that choice. People who are cared for by lots of people or who live in residential homes should be priority for the vaccine but unfortunately they aren’t.