Select Page

Supporting someone through their vaccination

In light of the recent announcement by the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JVCI) that people aged 12 to 15 who have Down’s syndrome should now be offered Covid-19 vaccinations, we thought it would be useful to publish a blog about supporting people to get vaccinated.

Understandably, families have been in touch with us via our Helpline to ask if Covid-19 vaccinations are available in other formats. Whilst we are aware there is some research into non-injectable Covid-19 vaccines, alternative formats are unlikely to be available for the foreseeable future. At the moment, vaccination is only possible via injection.

We know some people may get anxious at the thought of needles, so we have put together some information and a list of resources below that may help.

Some people may not need any particular adjustments and will be content to have the vaccination under the same conditions as anyone else. However, for many people, reasonable adjustments will help to make the process run more smoothly.

Reasonable adjustments and prior preparation

Healthcare professionals and all who are administering vaccines, must consider making reasonable adjustments to ensure people who have Down’s syndrome have equal and timely access to healthcare. If possible, you may like to contact the location where the vaccination will happen to discuss in advance what measures they can reasonably put in place to make the process as accessible and stress free as possible for the person you support.

Here are some examples of reasonable adjustments:

  • Longer appointment times so nobody feels rushed.
  • Information in Easy Read or alternative formats.
  • Having a supporter present.
  • A pre-vaccination visit to the relevant location, if Covid considerations allow, so the person is familiar with the location and procedure.
  • You could explore if the vaccination can be done in a familiar location, such as in the family home by a community nurse or GP, if this is safe and practical to do so.

There are further examples of reasonable adjustments, that are relevant to vaccinations in the Public Health England Guidance ‘Flu Vaccinations: Supporting People With Learning Disabilities’ (2018 Update)

Social stories may help the person you support to understand what having a vaccination involves. There is information about social stories in our Emotional Wellbeing resource for supporters.

As a parent/supporter, you know your loved one and/or the person you support best of all. You will need to make judgements about the level of support they may need during the process and the amount of prior preparation overall that will be helpful.

There is a balance to be struck in that too much emphasis on vaccination, and advance preparation might cause more anxiety for the person than they may otherwise have experienced.

Rewards can really help

Heaps of praise during and after the vaccination is likely to help. Remember to include mention of rewards for getting through the procedure in any social stories or visual supports you use.

Positioning and distractions

Clever positioning for the vaccination can help people to feel safe and secure and it can make it easier to distract them. For example, you could make sure that they are looking at you rather than at the person about to give the vaccination.

Providing a distraction during vaccination may help reduce anxiety. Here are some suggestions of things that might help:

  • Tablet/device
  • Favourite game
  • Mobile phone
  • Headphones
  • Music
  • An activity book involving having to find objects
  • Singing
  • Have a chat about something the person is passionate about

What helps will vary from person to person depending on their interests.

Who can help?

Your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) may be able to offer advice and support around needle desensitisation. CAMHS are the NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural and/or mental health difficulties. You can find your local service by searching online; the details are usually to be found on your local NHS Trust website.

The school nursing service and paediatrician may also be able to offer advice and support.

You can of course always speak to a member of the DSA’s Information Team via our Confidential Helpline on
Helpline: 0333 1212300 (10am-4pm, not premium rate)
Email: info@downs-syndrome.org.uk

Free accessible resources     

The DSA has an Easy Read resource about the coronavirus vaccine.

Books Beyond Words produce a resource called Having a vaccine for Coronavirus.