Learning Disabilities Health Intelligence Network update August 2018

Flu vaccinations  

• People with learning disabilities are more likely to become seriously ill or die if they get the flu 
• The current mortality review into the deaths of people with a learning disabilities reported this year that 31% of deaths investigated had an underlying respiratory cause
• People with learning disabilities and those who care for them are entitled to a free flu vaccination

We are working to increase uptake of the flu vaccination for people with learning disabilities and those who care for them this winter. Any support you can offer to promote this message would be very valuable indeed.

Importantly, paid carers who are employed by a registered care provider are eligible for a free flu vaccination this year, as well as primary family carers. If carers have the vaccination this improves protection for the people they care for.

An easy read information sheet (aimed at people with learning disabilities and their carers) has been developed with the National Development Team for Inclusion explaining this. We hope this will give people the information they need to get their vaccination at either their GP surgery or pharmacy, and overcome any barriers to that happening.  It is not yet well known enough that this group, and their carers, are eligible.  An easy read leaflet, suitable for GP surgeries, is available to order from PHE.

We have also published guidance about flu vaccinations for people with learning disabilities, aimed largely at health and social care professionals.

Please forward this message on to your own networks. Keep in touch, and let us know if there are ways we can work together to improve uptake. 

The recording of the webinar we recently held about flu immunisations and people with learning disabilities is available to view online.