Specialist Covid and flu vaccination clinics for people with a learning disability begin in Leicestershire

The clinics have longer appointment times and are staffed with health care professionals who specialise in learning disability support and care.

Dedicated vaccination clinics are being provided in Leicestershire and Rutland for adults and children with a learning disability.

The clinics will offer both the flu and Covid vaccines for anyone who is registered as having a learning disability.

Dr Virginia Ashman, GP and Clinical Lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “As we head into winter, we know that viruses tend to spread more rapidly than at other times of the year. People with a learning disability are more likely to become very poorly if they catch coronavirus or flu.

"Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay healthy. For many people, these specialist clinics are the only environment available to them where they feel comfortable enough to have their Covid and flu vaccinations.”

The clinics are taking place on the following dates:

• Wednesday 22 November, from 3pm to 5pm at Oakham Enterprise Park LE15 7TU, for ages 12 years and over. People can just drop-in, no appointment needed.
• Sunday 26 November from 9am to 4pm at Emmanuel Church Hall, 47 Forest Rd, Loughborough LE11 3NW, for ages 12 years and over. Please book in advance.
• Sunday 3 December, at Emmanuel Church Hall, for ages: 5 to 17 years, from 9am to 1pm and 18 years and over, from 1pm to 4pm
• There will be an additional clinic on Thursday 7 December, for drive-thru vaccinations, where people will be vaccinated while they are in their vehicle. This clinic will be held at Belvoir Shopping Centre, Coalville LE67 3XA from 10am to 4pm, offering both Covid and flu vaccines. Although this clinic is designed primarily for people with learning disabilities, other eligible people can also attend for their vaccines. Please note that people will need to buy a car parking ticket for the Belvoir Shopping Centre car park. A half-hour appointment can be booked in advance; alternatively, people can just turn up, although this will mean less time is allocated for their jabs.

The clinics have been designed to offer a calming, friendly and more supportive environment to people with a learning disability, their accompanying family members or carers.

The clinics have longer appointment times and are staffed with health care professionals who specialise in learning disability support and care.

Every effort will be made to provide for individual needs; for people who do not wish to enter the clinic, vaccinations can be administered to them whilst they sit in their car outside.