Specialist Covid-19 vaccination clinics for people with learning disabilities announced

The clinics have been specially designed to create a calm and friendly environment.

This Learning Disability Awareness Week, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust are urging children and adults with learning disabilities and autism to have a Covid-19 vaccine.

They are holding specialist clinics at Loughborough Hospital which have been specially designed to create a calm and friendly environment as well as having longer appointment times.

Sam Screaton, learning disability vaccination clinical lead at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “People with a learning disability are more likely to become very poorly if they catch coronavirus. That is why it is so important for them to get the vaccine to protect them and stay healthy.

“It is extremely important to us to ensure that everyone who wants and needs a Covid-19 vaccine has access to them. We understand the issues people with learning disabilities face every day and that is why we have made adaptations to our clinics, to do everything we can to support people."

The next clinics are taking place at Loughborough Hospital, Hospital Way, LE11 5JY, on Wednesday 29 June, Thursday 7 July and Monday 22 August.

Appointments for children aged five-11 will be in the mornings and appointments for young people and adults aged 12 upwards in the afternoons. 

They are open to anyone with a learning disability or autism in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, aged five and over, who needs a first, second or booster Covid-19 vaccination.

Sam Screaton, said: “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. Parents and carers can also let us know if there are any special adaptions we can make to help make the vaccination easier, at the time of booking.”

To book an appointment at a clinic, please use the following links. Please specify in the additional comments box if you need any specialist adaptations.

• Book an appointment for any of the sessions for people aged 12 and upwards, including adults 
• Book an appointment for any of the sessions for children aged five-11-years-old