Coronavirus: Asking for reasonable adjustments when having your vaccine

How to ask for extra support (reasonable adjustments) when having your vaccine

A drawing of the coronavirus germ

This guide is about the coronavirus vaccine.

A man in a wheelchair pointing at himself in front of a copy of the Equality Act

People with a learning disability have a right under the law to ask for 'reasonable adjustments' when getting healthcare.

'Reasonable adjustments' means extra support.

A woman in a wheelchair asking a question about what she needs. She is surrounded by an easy read leaflet and a stopwatch

This extra support removes barriers that might stop you from getting good healthcare because of your disability.

A man with his thumbs up thinking about the coronavirus vaccine

Having extra support put in place should help you feel more confident about having the vaccine.

A doctors receptionist calling a patient to ask them to make a coronavirus vaccine appointment

When your GP surgery contacts you about the vaccine, let them know you have a learning disability and if you will need extra support or reasonable adjustments.

A doctors receptionist calling a patient to ask them to make a coronavirus vaccine appointment

You could ask to have a chat with your GP or nurse about what support you will need.

a male nurse

You could ask to speak to  your community learning disability nurse to find out if they can help you have extra support put in place.

The front cover of a hospital passport

If you have a hospital passport, you might find it helpful to ask the GP or community learning disability nurse to read it, so they know how best to communicate and support you.

A woman with her hand on her head thinking

Think about what extra support you might need when you have your vaccine.

A woman holding a clipboard with a red cross on it. Her other hand has her thumbs down

Think about what things would make it harder for you to have the vaccine.

A woman with her hand up and palm facing the camera to say stop

If there are things that would stop you being able to have the vaccine, ask them not to do it.

a green tick next to a woman with her thumbs up

Think about what things would make it easier for you to have the vaccine.

A man and a nurse sitting next to each other and wearing face coverings. The man has his thumbs up to the nurse.

You can ask them to do something differently if it helps you to have the vaccine.

A woman in a wheelchair asking a question about what she needs. She is surrounded by an easy read leaflet and a stopwatch

Ideas for extra support (reasonable adjustments) you might want to ask for

A woman with her hand on her head thinking

You might not need all of these reasonable adjustments made for you.

So think about which ones would help you most.

A booklet with the words My Plan on the front cover

You might find it helpful to write your ideas down or ask someone to help you write a My Vaccine Plan.

A clock showing the time 10 to 2

Making your vaccine appointment

 

If you think you will need more time when having your vaccine, you could ask for a double appointment.

A question mark next to a clock face

Let them know what time is best for you to have the vaccine.

A queue of four people. Two men and two women. Both men are looking at their watches

If you find waiting in a queue hard, ask if you can have your vaccine early in the morning or at the end of the day.

A woman holding an easy read leaflet which is called NHS Your Vaccine Appointment

If you would like accessible information about the vaccine, ask if they can give you information in easy read .

 A group of long, hard words including verbigerative, mendacious, quotient. brokerage and serpiginous

If they give you information which includes hard words, ask them to explain things using simple words and no jargon.

A woman pushing another woman in a wheelchair

When you go for the vaccine

You might want to ask if you can bring a family member or support worker with you when you have your vaccine.

A man sitting on a chair reading a magazine in front of an NHS sign which says Covid Vaccinations here Today

If you find it hard to wait in a busy area, ask if they have a quiet room you can wait in before and after the vaccine.

A man wearing headphones and a nurse sitting next to each other. The man has his thumbs up to the nurse

If you don't like noisy places, bring some noise cancelling headphones with you to wear.

A man sitting on a chair and a nurse sitting on a chair. The man is upset.

If you don't like needles

Let the nurse know if you are afraid of needles (needle phobia).

They might have some ideas on how they can make you feel more relaxed.

A man talking to a nurse beside an NHS information stand which says COVID-19 Vaccination Centre

If you're afraid of needles, ask them to hide the needle when you come in so you don't see it.

Or you could ask if they could put a screen around your arm so you don't see the needle.

A man reading a tablet whilst having his coronavirus vaccine

You might find it helpful to play a game or listen to some music on your iPad or mobile phone to help distract you.

A nurse putting cream on a male patients arm before giving him the coronavirus vaccine

If you don't want to feel the needle, ask if the vaccine nurse can put some numbing cream on your arm.

A woman in a wheelchair looking very happy with her arms in the air

You might want to bring something with you that helps you feel happy and calm.

This could be an object that is special to you and makes you feel relaxed.

A woman with her hand on her head thinking

Feel free to come up with your own ideas!

A woman in a wheelchair asking a question about what she needs. She is surrounded by an easy read leaflet and a stopwatch

Extra help for those who need it

Some people will need the health service to do things in a very different way to make sure they can get the vaccine.

A woman sitting on a comfortable chair with a walking stick in her hand. A nurse is standing next to her

If you think it would be too hard for you to have the vaccine at a vaccination centre, hospital or GP surgery, ask if you can have it done at home.

A red car and a nurse

If you're coming by car or taxi to a vaccination centre but feel nervous going inside, ask if they can do the vaccine through the car window.

A nurse with a female patient

If you think  you'll need lots of support, ask if your community learning disability nurse can support you at your vaccine appointment.

A woman in a wheelchair asking a question about what she needs. She is surrounded by an easy read leaflet and a stopwatch

Remember - it is your right to ask for extra support (reasonable adjustments) when having your vaccine.

A man in a wheelchair pointing to himself beside a copy of the Equality Act

The NHS , and the people who work in it, like doctors, nurses and receptionists, have a duty under the law to make sure disabled people can use healthcare services.