Those with learning disabilities are being offered Covid-19 vaccinations sooner than planned.

The Greenfield Park/Tall Trees day services complex at Noble’s Hospital will be used as a specialised vaccination hub, as many adults with a learning disability from across the island use the activities and support provided there.

In addition, most service users know the learning disability specialist nurse and the other registered professionals.

The Department of Health and Social Care has decided that people with learning disabilities will all be vaccinated with priority group 4. This will ensure the everyone with learning disabilities is protected at an early stage.

The term learning disability covers a number of physical and mental health conditions.

So, rather than send people to one of the existing centres, vaccinations are to be offered to people with learning disabilities within a calm and familiar environment with staff that know them well and can provide appropriate support.

The vaccination programme is currently following guidance on vaccinating priority groups as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI).

Those with learning disabilities are due for jabs at different points in the programme:

People with Down’s syndrome have been placed in priority group 4, a category which includes those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Adults with severe or profound learning disability are in priority group 6, which captures people aged between 16 and 65 who are clinically vulnerable.

Residents with a learning disability and users of learning disability services who don’t fall within other priority groups are called up on the basis of their age.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford said: ’Our clinical advisory group has reviewed this matter extensively and made a clear recommendation to vaccinate all individuals with a learning disability in priority group 4.

’Due to the numbers involved we have made a clinical and operationally practical decision to vaccinate as one group rather than dividing between several groups.

’It is important to create a space where individuals will feel safe and comfortable when getting their vaccination whilst making the process as easy as possible, and we believe creating a small hub in a familiar environment is the best way to do this.

’I want to thank the team who are working to set this up.’

Plans are under way to run vaccination sessions in late March to coincide with the call-up of priority group 4.

The hub will run for three days to provide plenty of time between appointments and to ensure everyone having their jab is reassured and comfortable.

Existing transport arrangements will bring service users to the complex for their jabs, and more information on the learning disabilities rollout will be provided to families and carers once the details have been finalised and patient lists have been drawn up.

Residents at the first learning disability home, Cushag House in Port St Mary, received their jabs on February 15.