Unpaid Carers now in Group 6 for COVID Vaccinations

 

Vaccination process for Unpaid Carers

Unpaid carers are now being invited to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination, providing they:

• Are eligible for a carer’s allowance
• Are identified as a primary carer by their GP
• Are receiving support following a carer’s assessment by their local council or from a local carer’s organisation
• Are the sole or primary carer who provides close personal care or face to face support for an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable to COVID-19

Carers will be contacted in phases, starting with those carers already known to health and social care services. Those who are identified as a primary carer on their GP’s register or eligible for a carer’s allowance will be invited first, followed by those who have had a statutory carer’s assessment by their local council or are receiving support from Somerset Carers/SOMPAR.

What unpaid carers need to do to prepare for the vaccine:

• Wait to be contacted. When you are contacted by the NHS about your vaccine, book an appointment as soon as possible. This will either be at a vaccination site in your local community supported by your GP practice, or at a large vaccination centre.
• Take steps to arrange alternative support for the person you are caring for while you are at your vaccination appointment. If you need help to arrange this, please contact your local council or local carers organisation.
• Read the coronavirus vaccination leaflet so you know what to expect when being vaccinated.
• When you go and get your vaccine, take along with you the confirmation of your appointment, photo ID to prove your identity, and your NHS number if you have it. You do not need to provide proof you are a carer.
• If you are an eligible unpaid carer and you will be accompanying the person you care for to their vaccination appointment at their local GP vaccination service, and you haven’t received your invitation yet, if you wish to receive your vaccination at the same time you must make this known to the GP surgery in advance to confirm an appointment. The vaccination sites are not able to support walk-in appointments.
• In some cases where caring responsibilities are shared, an additional person can be classed as a primary carer and receive a vaccination.

Every possible effort will be made to vaccinate eligible carers at the same time as the people they care for, such as when they accompany them for a vaccination.

If you are an unpaid carer and you are unsure if you are eligible, contact your local council or call Somerset Carers and we will advise you if you are able to receive your COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic. By getting vaccinated unpaid carers can help protect themselves from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, so they can continue to be there for their family, friends, and the people they care for.

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine. Government guidance on how unpaid carers in England, who care for a person vulnerable to COVID-19, can get vaccinated can be found here