Scots with learning disabilities are more than three times more likely to die with covid-19 than the rest of the population, new research has found.

A summary of interim findings published by the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory looked at a sample of cases from the period January to mid-August 2020 and found this group was twice as likely to be infected with covid-19, and twice as likely to experience a severe outcome.

The Scottish government said it would work with the Observatory to “fully understand the implications of this research”.

Research into the impact of the pandemic on Scots with learning disabilities has been hindered by a lack of routine data collection in the NHS in Scotland.

One charity working in the sector said the result was that people with learning disabilities were “invisible”.

To overcome these barriers researchers linked records from the 2011 census with death registrations, hospital records and testing data.

They found that deaths from all causes over 2020 were 23% higher among adults with learning disabilities, compared to 21% for others.

The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory said the findings were “preliminary”.

“We will issue the full report with data on infection and mortality rates following peer-review and publication in a scientific journal,” the organisation said on Twitter.

“These important results are urgently required to inform clinical decision-making and public health policy in Scotland and the UK.”

Campaigners have previously called for the vaccine priority list to be amended, warning people with learning disabilities needed to be placed higher up given the “shocking” deaths rates.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory to fully understand the implications of this research and to take any necessary action.

“Our vaccination programme continues to gather pace and, following the JCVI guidance, people with Down’s Syndrome will be invited for vaccination during group 4, and people with severe and profound learning/intellectual disabilities and carers, will be offered vaccination during group 6.

“Our ‘roll up your sleeves’ campaign continues to encourage everyone to accept the vaccine when offered, as it is the best way to protect yourself, others and the NHS from covid-19.”

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