Public Health England recently shared information on a guidance they published about flu vaccinations for people with learning disabilities.

In it, they cited studies showing that respiratory illnesses are a major cause of death among people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). To help address this, PHE included people with learning disabilities in the clinical risk groups that are eligible for free immunisation. This offer also covers family carers and other health & social care professionals who work with the person, as this will help to protect them and reduce the risk of spreading the flu to the people they support.

Public Health England, NHS, and the National Development Team for Inclusion also produced a number of documents and videos to help us (including the people we care for) understand this better:

• An easy read information sheet developed with the National Development Team for Inclusion
• A short film about someone with learning disabilities having her flu vaccination
• An easy read leaflet for people with learning disabilities
• A recording of a webinar about flu immunisations and people with learning disabilities that PHE recently held