Eligible unpaid carers in Sefton are now eligible for the COVID vaccine and will be contacted by the NHS.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Public Health England (PHE) Green Book have decided that unpaid carers eligible for the vaccine are:
“Those who are eligible for Carer’s Allowance, or 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”
Carers are being contacted in phases, starting with those registered with their GP who are identified by the GP Carers Flag and those entitled to receive Carer’s Allowance.
Unpaid carers who are not yet able to book via the National Booking System, are being asked to wait for their invitation. Unpaid carers who will be identified through the above channels will be contacted soon.
Eligible unpaid carers will be identified in four ways:
- If you are registered as an unpaid carer with your GP. This is known as having a Carers Flag on your primary care records.
- If you receive, or are entitled to, Carer’s Allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions will share this information with the vaccination programme.
- If you are known to the local authority as a carer, and are receiving support following a statutory carers assessment.
- If you are supported by a local carer support organisation.
The vaccination programme recognises that these sources will not identify all eligible unpaid carers.
Unpaid carers over the age of 18 who are not already known to health and care services can contact the National Booking Service at the NHS website or by ringing 119 to answer a few questions to determine if they are eligible to book their vaccination appointment.
For more info go to the Carers Trust website.
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