Birmingham man with learning disabilities takes first steps towards freedom after year of shielding
The jab is now available to 150,000 more people in the UK following the government U-turn
Last updated 26th Feb 2021
A man with learning difficulties from Harborne, Birmingham has welcomed the government's decision to prioritise people on the learning disabilities register for the vaccine - but tells us the first stages of the vaccine rollout has left vulnerable people feeling like 'second class citizens'.
A report last year found those with disabilities were up to six times more likely to die from COVID-19, and following months of pressure, the government announced the decision on Wednesday.
52-year-old Nigel Smith has mild learning disabilities and been shielding since April last year, until he left his home to get his first dose of the jab from his local GP yesterday.
Nigel said: "It's brilliant, I'm so happy to get some fresh air and get the vaccine. It's been a nightmare. I just couldn't leave my house because of the virus. I am happy but I think the government should've done this months ago. Make sure the old people get the vaccine first because they need it but people like me need it too.
"We have been forgotten. People with learning disabilities have been forgotten but now we're part of the rollout and we're getting it done. We've been second class citizens but now part of the vaccine effort."
A leading charity helping people with learning disabilities in the West Midlands has also welcomed the move.
The decision follows a national campaign being run by learning disability charity Mencap which also called for MPs and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review where they sit on the list.
This means an extra 150,000 people are now eligible for the vaccine, according to the JCVI.
It follows DJ Jo Whiley's plea for people such as her sister, Frances, to be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
But some have criticised the Government for their slow response to the growing evidence of people with learning disabilities being vulnerable to the virus.
Dave Rogers, CEO Midland Mencap
Dave said: " We welcome the decision and we know a lot of families across Birmingham and the West Midlands who'll be relieved at this news, but to be honest we're talking about individuals who, before the pandemic, were already experiencing the highest levels of health inequality.
"The Office for National Statistics have confirmed that over 3,000 people with a learning disability have already lost their lives through the pandemic so we're exceptionally disappointed in government policy. We know they batted this to the vaccine and immunisation committee and they should've been a lot more determined to address the growing mountain of evidence that these people were very vulnerable."
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