Priority groups in the COVID-19 vaccination programme

We look at where families of disabled children fit in the priorities for the current COVID-19 vaccination programme based on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice.

Published on: 11/01/21

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus. Some parents are wondering where they are on the list.

The government outlined the Vaccine priority groups on 30 December 2020 based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This advice includes those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. This is under priority 6, with specific advice under footnote 3.

Obviously the vaccination programme has only recently begun and changes and revisions are being made as it is rolled out.

The JCVI report also covers children less than 16 years of age and ‘the committee advises that only those children at very high risk of exposure and serious outcomes, such as older children with severe neuro-disabilities that require residential care, should be offered vaccination’. The report shares that more detail on vaccination in children is set out in the Green Book – Immunisation Against Infectious Disease.

Specific information about COVID-19 coronavirus for families with disabled children is also provided by the charity Contact. The charity have provided information on Children with health and social care needs, education, Coronavirus, welfare benefits & money and family wellbeing.

You can also read our advice for families during lockdown. This covers routine, relaxation, reassurance and more, and is provided by clinical experts at The Children’s Trust.

Look back at 2020

It’s been a tough year so we’re very grateful to those of you who told us your stories and helped us to share more information with families and professionals. Here are some of our highlights.