People with Learning Disabilities Should Prioritize Covid Vaccines | Learning Disabilities

WHemmer Garrett Keenan was the first in the UK Coronavirus vaccine Last week, the public sighed with relief. But it’s important to remember the people who are always behind the line: people with learning disabilities and autism.

Throughout the pandemic, people with learning disabilities and autism have consistently been disappointed. A Lack of clear and easy-to-understand guidance, With unequal access to care Illegal “do not resuscitate” instructions It has exacerbated the inequality that many have long faced.

The impact cannot be ignored. Our study 76% of people with learning disabilities show that during a pandemic they feel less important to the government than the general public. The data also show that people with learning disabilities and autism are at a much higher risk of becoming infected with Covid-19 than in a larger population.

UK Public Health Services The registered Covid-19 mortality rate for people with learning disabilities in the United Kingdom is more than four times that of the general population. But experts estimate the true rate is Can be even higherNot all deaths of people with learning disabilities are registered in the database used to collate the findings.

Even more alarming, people with learning disabilities die of Covid-19 at a much younger age than the general population.People with learning disabilities 30 times for 18-34 years old More likely to die of coronavirus than non-learning disabled people.In the UK population, the risk of death is highest for people over the age of 75, but for people with learning disabilities, the number of deaths is highest. 55-64 years old..

The reason why pandemics have so imbalanced people with learning disabilities is systemic and is the result of generations of health service inequality. Yes, some individuals are more clinically vulnerable due to comorbidities and complications associated with learning disabilities. However, for many, the worsening consequences after being infected with the virus are due to non-clinical problems and inequality in access to medical services. This is unforgivable.

Government should prioritize vaccination 1.5 million people with learning disabilities and 700,000 people with autism..putting This long-overlooked group at the top of the vaccine queue helps address the general health inequality faced by people with learning disabilities.

Records held by GPs and social care providers learning disabilities will enable effective and accelerated vaccine deployment.

However, the government does not include all people with learning disabilities in the vaccine priority list. Therefore, people with learning disabilities will be vaccinated with the rest of the working-age population unless they are qualified because of their age or underlying health.

One of the key issues that exacerbates health inequality through the Covid-19 crisis is the inadequate provision of accessible information to people with learning disabilities. According to our survey, 97% of people with learning disabilities and autism felt that the government needed to do more to meet their specific needs during a pandemic.

Information about vaccination programs should be accessible to people with learning disabilities to ensure that they understand the need for vaccination and what they expect. This is an easy-to-read resource to support the decision-making of people who may lack the ability to make decisions about vaccines and who may have difficulty tolerating injections due to learning disabilities. Must contain specific resources.

This year, many people supported by long-term care facilities and supportive living areas had limited contact with their loved ones. 93% of people with learning disabilities and autism feel isolated from society because of a pandemic, and the negative effects of prolonged isolation among those who may not understand why Cannot be underestimated. Long-term effects on the health of some people are expected.

Putting people with learning disabilities at the top of the list of Covid vaccines allows them to not only see, but also spend a fulfilling time with their loved ones. For those in a care environment, restrictions on visits and activities can be relaxed or lifted altogether. After all, this is a cohort of people who have already experienced far more restrictions and injustices than the average person. A pandemic should be a catalyst for us as a society to change how we treat people with learning disabilities. We have the opportunity to start today.

• Steve Scown is Chief Executive Officer Size, A non-profit support provider for people with learning disabilities and autism.