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Covid vaccinations for unpaid carers

9th April 2021

TAGS coronavirus

  • Unpaid carers are included in priority group six of the vaccination programme. This includes people who receive Carers Allowance and those who are the main carer of someone at high risk from coronavirus (see box).

    The National Booking System has been suspended for “unknown” unpaid carers due to vaccine supply issues.

    Any “known” carers who had received their invitation, but not already booked their vaccination, can still do so via the National Booking System. This includes those who are in receipt of Carers Allowance, those who are flagged as a carer on their GP records, and those who get support following an assessment by their local authority.

    Second doses of the vaccine are not affected.

    If you are an eligible unpaid carer and you haven’t yet been offered the vaccine, you are advised to contact your GP. GPs have been informed of the change via a formal letter and the twice weekly webinar with the national GP lead.

    Eligible carers are defined as:

    • Those who are eligible for Carer’s Allowance
    • Those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable. (Those clinically vulnerable include children with severe neuro-disabilities, those who are designated Clinically Extremely vulnerable (CEV), adults who have underlying health conditions, and those who need care because of advanced age.)

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