Abstract
Background
Given the much greater COVID-19 mortality risk experienced by people with intellectual disabilities, understanding the willingness of people with intellectual disabilities to take a COVID-19 vaccine is a major public health issue.
Method
In December 2020-February 2021, across the United Kingdom 621 adults with intellectual disabilities were interviewed remotely and 348 family carers or support workers of adults with intellectual disabilities with greater needs completed an online survey, including a question on willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine if offered.
Results
87.0% of interviewees with intellectual disabilities were willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine, with willingness associated with white ethnicity, having already had a flu vaccine, gaining information about COVID-19 from television but not from social media, and knowing COVID-19 social restrictions rules. 81.7% of surveyed carers of adults with intellectual disabilities with greater needs reported that the person would be willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine, with willingness associated with white ethnicity, having a health condition of concern in the context of COVID-19, having had a flu vaccine, being close to someone who had died due to COVID-19, and having shielded at some point during the pandemic.
Conclusions
Reported willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine is high amongst adults with intellectual disabilities in the UK, with factors associated with willingness having clear implications for public health policy and practice.
Given the much greater COVID-19 mortality risk experienced by people with intellectual disabilities, understanding the willingness of people with intellectual disabilities to take a COVID-19 vaccine is a major public health issue.
Method
In December 2020-February 2021, across the United Kingdom 621 adults with intellectual disabilities were interviewed remotely and 348 family carers or support workers of adults with intellectual disabilities with greater needs completed an online survey, including a question on willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine if offered.
Results
87.0% of interviewees with intellectual disabilities were willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine, with willingness associated with white ethnicity, having already had a flu vaccine, gaining information about COVID-19 from television but not from social media, and knowing COVID-19 social restrictions rules. 81.7% of surveyed carers of adults with intellectual disabilities with greater needs reported that the person would be willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine, with willingness associated with white ethnicity, having a health condition of concern in the context of COVID-19, having had a flu vaccine, being close to someone who had died due to COVID-19, and having shielded at some point during the pandemic.
Conclusions
Reported willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine is high amongst adults with intellectual disabilities in the UK, with factors associated with willingness having clear implications for public health policy and practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 949-961 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Intellectual Disability Research |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Sept 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research (grant COV0196) was funded by UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and supported by the Department for Health and Social Care (National Institute for Health Research) as part of the UKRI‐DHSC COVID‐19 Rapid Response Rolling Call. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of DHSC, NIHR, UKRI or MRC.
Funding Information:
Thank you to the following collaborating organisations without whom this project would not be possible: All Wales People First, Learning Disability Wales, All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with Learning Disabilities, Scottish Commission for Learning Disability, Promoting a More Inclusive Society (PAMIS), Positive Futures, Mencap Northern Ireland, Learning Disability England, PMLD Link, Positive Futures, CAN Northern Ireland, Families Involved in Northern Ireland (FINI).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research published by MENCAP and International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disibilities and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Research Groups and Themes
- SPS Centre for Research in Health and Social Care
Keywords
- COVID-19
- intellectual disability
- United Kingdom
- vaccine willingness
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (final published version)
This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via Wiley at 10.1111/jir.12884. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.