About winter vaccinations
Having your COVID (coronavirus) and flu vaccines can help you stay well over the winter.
People with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
are more likely to become seriously unwell from COVID (coronavirus) and the flu.
Vaccines do not always stop you catching COVID or flu, but if you do get them, you are likely to have milder symptoms and get better faster.
Bookings open for COVID (coronavirus) and flu vaccines in the Autumn/Winter.
It is important to have the vaccine as it gets weaker over time and flu and Covid viruses change.
How to book your vaccines
You can have your vaccines at a GP surgery or a pharmacy. Some local areas may also offer other places to have your vaccine.
If you live in England you can book online - or call 119, your GP surgery or pharmacy. Visit the NHS England website for more information.
If you live In Wales you can call or check the
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
of your local health board, or the NHS Wales website, for more information about how to get a vaccine:
If you live in Northern Ireland you can call your GP surgery or
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
pharmacy - or book online.
Find out more about the flu and Covid-19 vaccines
Amy's experience
Read about when Amy had her Autumn Covid-19 booster vaccine and her flu vaccine.
Flu and Covid-19 vaccine Easy Read information
The flu vaccine will not
protect
Protect means keeping someone or something safe.
you from coronavirus, and the coronavirus vaccine will not protect you from the flu. People who catch flu and coronavirus at the same time are more likely to become seriously ill, so it is important to have both vaccines if you want to be fully protected.
You can have them both on the same day, or you can have them on different days.
Healthcare professionals can make a number of reasonable adjustments to make it easier for disabled people to have the vaccination. These could include:
- Making sure the person does not have to wait a long time
- Giving more time for the appointment
- Showing them the equipment first
- Talking to them about the things they enjoy or other distractions
- Numbing the area
- Offering the nasal spray to adults if they are unable to have the injection - this option is only available for the flu vaccine, and it will only be offered as a last resort. It is only usually available for adults at GP surgeries.
- Having the vaccination in a location where the person is more comfortable.
No one should miss out on a flu vaccine because they do not have capacity to make the decision for themselves.
With the right support many people with a learning disability will be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to have the flu jab.
If you are worried that the person you support may not be able to make this decision for themselves, we would advise you to speak to their GP as soon as possible.
The GP will assess the person with a learning disability’s capacity and if they find they lack capacity, will make the decision in their best interests.
If you think you will need extra support contact your community learning disability team as soon as possible. You can also contact the Mencap Learning Disability Helpline for advice or support.