Jab clinics for all with learning disabilities

MORE specialist Covid-19 vaccination clinics for people with learning disabilities and autism will be held over the next three months.

The clinics are designed to enable people to get their boosters and vaccines in a calm and friendly environment that meets their needs.

The clinics will be held on the following dates and venues:

■ January 27: Loughborough Hospital;

■ February 23: the Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester;

■ March 31: Loughborough Hospital.

All clinics will run from 10am to 6pm and need to be booked in advance. The vaccine used will be Pfizer.

The sessions are open to anyone with a learning disability or autism in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland, aged 12 or over, who is due for a first, second or booster Covid vaccination.

They are designed for people who need a more supportive environment than an ordinary clinic can provide.

The clinics will offer a calm atmosphere, longer appointment times and be staffed by vaccinators specialising in learning disability support and care.

Sam Screaton, learning disability vaccination clinical lead at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “It is extremely important to us to ensure the Covid-19 vaccines and boosters are accessible to everyone.

“If you catch Covid-19 it can make you poorly.

“People with a learning disability are more likely to become very poorly if they catch coronavirus, so getting the protection from the vaccine is the best way to stay healthy.

“We have also opened these sessions up to those aged 12 and above, to enable school-age young people with learning disabilities to take advantage of these clinics.

“I can assure anyone who is nervous about coming that all the people who work at the clinics are very friendly and will make sure you feel as comfortable and calm as possible.”

To book an appointment at either of the clinics go to: swiftqueue.co.uk/pre_timescreen.php?

More information about booster vaccines in an easy read format can be found at: leicspart.nhs.uk

A video from the Misfits Theatre company from Bristol, in partnership with NHS England, has useful information: youtube.com/watch?v=dF0O1d800jU