Vaccinations for people with learning disabilities that are classed as ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’ are to be brought forward following pressure from campaigners.

Nicola Sturgeon said today that everyone with a learning disability would be vaccinated in priority group six, instead of only those who had a ‘severe’ disability.

There were concerns that some people could have been “overlooked” under the previous approach, because medical records do not routinely class a learning disability as severe or otherwise.

Scots with learning disabilities were more than three times more likely to die with covid-19 than the rest of the population during the first wave of the pandemic.

Meanwhile data from England revealed death rates were up to six times higher than the general population – and 30 times higher among 18-to-34-year-olds with learning disabilities.

This week first-dose vaccinations begin for group six, which includes under-65s with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers.

Speaking earlier, the First Minister said: “I can though confirm today that with the agreement of the Chief Medical Officer, we also intend to include people with mild or moderate learning disabilities in group six, although we will have some work to do to make sure we are identifying and reaching everyone in that category”.

healthandcare.scot reported last week that Dr Gregor Smith had been asked to look again at scheduling of learning disability vaccinations.

It followed GPs in England being given greater discretion to bring forward jabs and a letter from a cross-party group of MSPs calling for urgent changes.

The First Minister said the next phase of the vaccine rollout would be the largest to date, including around one million people.

“Because of that, it will take some weeks to provide first doses to everyone in that group - so if you don't receive an appointment letter this week or next week, I ask you not to worry. It will get to you as quickly as possible."

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