Adults with a learning disability are being urged to come forward for their Covid-19 vaccination after recently being added to the priority list.

This follows new advice from government experts highlighting the greater risk posed by coronavirus to people with a learning disability.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Val Armstrong said "Please take up the offer of the Covid-19 vaccination if you are in the priority groups. This will help protect yourself and others from this horrible virus.

"If you know any relatives, friends or neighbours with a learning disability, please make sure they are on the learning disability register. People registered on the system with their GP can receive extra support at medical appointments, as well as access to annual health checks.

"The Covid-19 vaccine should help reduce the rates of serious illness, save lives and will therefore reduce pressure on the NHS and social care services."

Anyone with a learning disability who is on their GP's learning disability register will be invited to receive the vaccination by their GP. Anyone who has a learning disability and is not already registered with their GP, can register via NHS - Register For A GP.

Joint Medical Director at NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Andy McAlavey said: "People with learning disabilities or autism may have anxieties when receiving any type of vaccination and we need to make sure people have all the support they need to have the Covid-19 vaccination and help protect themselves.

"When vaccinating people with learning disabilities, reasonable adjustments will be considered to enable them to access the service in the best way possible."

More information about the local Covid-19 vaccination programme, key priority groups and frequently asked questions, is available on the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) website.

NHS England is currently offering a free online training session aimed at helping family carers of people with learning disabilities to recognise and react to signs of worsening health.

More information about this event, please click here.