150,000 more people with learning disabilities to be prioritised for Covid-19 jabs

24 February 2021, 12:15 | Updated: 24 February 2021, 15:02

People with severe and profound learning disabilities will be given immediate priority in the Covid vaccine rollout.
People with severe and profound learning disabilities will be given immediate priority in the Covid vaccine rollout. Picture: PA

By Joe Cook

More than 150,000 people with severe and profound learning disabilities will be given immediate priority in the Covid vaccine rollout, after updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

As adults who are at high-risk from Covid complications, these disabled people are already in Group 6 of the vaccine priority list.

Adults with Down’s syndrome, who face a particularly high risk of severe outcomes were prioritised for the vaccine in group 4 and so should already have received their first dose.

However, the JCVI is now advising the NHS to invite all people on the GP learning disability register for vaccination.

They are also calling for the NHS to work with local authorities to identify adults in residential and nursing care, and those who require support in the community, who may not be registered.

Read more: Vaccine support surges ‘massively,' but Brexit voters less likely to take it - study shows

Read more: 'No problems' with Covid-19 vaccine supply chain, Williamson tells LBC

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he "warmly welcome[d]" the JCVI advice and has "asked the NHS to implement [it] immediately".

Professor Wei Shen Lim, JCVI Covid-19 chairman, said the advice “was developed with the aim of preventing as many deaths as possible” and is kept under review as new evidence emerges.

Reacting to the change, Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: “Following the JCVI’s updated advice and to make this process simpler and faster, we will be inviting everyone for vaccination who is on their GP’s learning disability register.

“This will mean those who are at a higher risk from the virus can get the protection they need.”

Read more: Prince Philip expected to remain in hospital for 'several days' to treat infection

Read more: Universities say all students could return to in-person teaching after Easter

Meanwhile, Minister for Care Helen Whately said: “I have heard first-hand how tough this pandemic has been for people with learning disabilities and their families.

“We are determined those more at risk from Covid should be vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The change in advice from the JCVI comes after LBC revealed people with a learning disability were facing a “postcode lottery” to get a Covid vaccine.

Read more: Gavin Williamson questioned over vaccine passports

Read more: Summer schools for secondary pupils as part of £700m catch-up plan in England

Widespread confusion over vaccine for those with learning disabilities

Different areas in the country had different rules on who was eligible. Some health authorities, like Kent and Medway were going to give all people with a learning disability a priority vaccine, while many were not.

High profile figures, including presenter Jo Whiley have been campaigning on the issue. The radio show host was offered the vaccine before her sister, who has a learning disability and diabetes and was later hospitalised in a serious condition with Covid.

Action was even underway to launch legal proceedings against Health Secretary Matt Hancock over the lack of prioritisation for people with learning disabilities.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos