Jo Whiley feels "relieved" that people with learning disabilities will be prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jo Whiley

Jo Whiley

The 55-year-old DJ recently questioned why she was offered the vaccine before her sister Frances - who has a learning disability and diabetes - but she is delighted about the UK government's decision to change its vaccination policy.

Jo said: "This is a great day, I am so relieved. I'm so happy for all those people who have been living in fear.

"I'm very grateful to the government for listening because it's a very complicated situation and it's very difficult to categorise people according to their disabilities ... it's very, very tricky and that has become apparent over the last few months."

Frances is currently recovering at home after being admitted to hospital last week following an outbreak at the care home where she lives.

Jo revealed her sister is now "doing well" as she recovers from the illness.

She told BBC News: "Apparently, she got up at 4.30 in the morning to have some breakfast - her first breakfast - so she has got her appetite back. She's FaceTiming, so all is so much better in the world.

"My parents are now looking after her. This is the first step in her recovery. It's going to be hard work from here on in, but she's doing great."

Jo also hailed the government's announcement on Twitter.

She wrote on the micro-blogging platform: "Crying with joy at today’s news. For all those with a LD who’ve lost their lives & for those who thought they’d been forgotten. We DO care and we WILL protect you [heart emoji] (sic)"

The government announced the change to its vaccination policy shortly after Jo revealed Frances was "fighting for her life" in hospital.

The DJ also admitted to being bemused when she was offered the vaccine before her sister.

She said: "It felt like the cruellest twist in the world because I've been asking for her, wanting for her to have her vaccine for a year ... to be protected. Then, for me to suddenly get a call to say that I've got the vaccine, it just felt hideously unfair."

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