Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is launching the first specialist Covid-19 vaccination clinics of 2023 for children and adults with a learning disability – and is encouraging those who need a vaccine to get booked in and protected, as recent data shows rising Covid-19 rates across England.

The next Covid-19 clinics for people with a learning disability in January and February 2023 will take place at Loughborough Hospital Vaccination Centre (Hospital Way, Loughborough, LE11 5JY) on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday 17 January 2023, 10.15am – 5.45pm
  • Friday 17 February 2023, 10.15am – 5.45pm

Both clinics are open to children and adults with a learning disability, aged five-years-old upwards, who need a first, second or booster Covid-19 vaccination.

The award-winning clinics offer attendees a friendly and calm atmosphere, longer appointment times and vaccinators specialising in learning disability support and care – to help to provide the best environment to enable people to have the vaccine. Each appointment can be tailored to suit the individual’s needs.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s Sam Screaton, who helped to launch the learning disability vaccination clinics, said: “Recent Covid-19 data is showing that there are rising cases of the virus in England. During the winter, we know that viruses tend to spread more rapidly than at other times of the year as we often spend more time indoors with other people, so the chances of getting a virus such as Covid-19 are higher than at other times of the year.

“Those with a learning disability are more likely to become very poorly if they catch coronavirus. Getting the protection from the vaccine is the best way to stay healthy. The vaccine is safe and offers good protection against Covid-19. It also means that if you do catch Covid-19 after you’ve had the vaccine, you reduce your risk of feeling very ill.

“Our vaccination clinics for people with a learning disability are different to other clinics. Everything about them has been designed to cater for the different needs of individuals in mind, including allowing for longer appointments to allow individuals to get used to the environment. Our vaccinators are very kind and friendly. They will do everything they can to make people feel as safe and relaxed as possible.”

As well as getting the protection of the vaccine, there are many other things you can do to help to stop the spread and reduce the risk of catching of Covid-19 including:

  • Meeting with people outside rather than inside (if possible)
  • Opening windows and doors to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
  • Avoiding crowded places
  • Washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth if you don’t have clean hands.

The NHS website also has more detailed guidance on keeping yourself safe if you’re at high risk from coronavirus.

Appointments need to be booked in advance to ensure the session can be managed to best suit patients’ needs. Some walk-in appointments may be available on the day, subject to demand.

To book an appointment at the clinics, please visit: www.leicspart.nhs.uk/specialist-ld-covid-19-vaccination-clinics/ and select the appropriate link for the attendees’ age range. Please note that children will be given a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for their Covid-19 vaccination, which will be a smaller dose than older children and adults.

You call also call 07917 734725 to book. Please note that calls will be answered Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm only. Outside of these hours there is a voicemail service to leave a message. Those booking are asked to specify in the additional comments box or over the phone if you need for us to make any specialist adaptations, such as needing a private or quiet space.

Children who have had Covid-19, or symptoms of Covid-19 but have not had a test, should wait until their symptoms are better before getting the vaccine. Ideally children aged 5-17 at high risk from Covid-19, which includes children with a learning disability, should wait at least 4 weeks or 28 days before getting the vaccine.

More information about Covid-19 vaccines can be found in easy read formats: