18 charities, including Mencap and Versus Arthritis, have written an open letter encouraging people living with an underlying health condition in cohort 6 to come forward for a COVID-19 vaccine.
The open letter explains that people with these conditions, including their carers, and those with learning disabilities on the learning disability register, have been prioritised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation because they are more likely to become seriously unwell from COVID-19. More than half in this cohort have already received their first dose.
Some people in this cohort may still be waiting for a letter from their GP. If those people have not received their letter yet, they can now get an appointment at a vaccination centre or community pharmacy, quickly and easily, by using the national booking system or calling 119 in England. The press release can be accessed here.
Previously we reported on how Mencap had a webpage titled” Don’t Miss Out: Join the learning disability register”, which has downloadable easy read guides and posters about joining the learning disability register: https://valonline.org.uk/jcvi-advises-inviting-people-on-learning-disability-register-for-vaccine/
Local VCSE organisations working with local communities that form part of cohort 6 may want to use the Mencap advice and the press release to encourage local people to access the Covid 19 vaccination programme