Unpaid carers - vaccine

[Florelei]

I understand that unpaid carers of vulnerable people are in priority group 6. Does anyone know how those people will make the health service aware to make sure that they get vaccinated?

Thanks for any information!

I wondered that. I read somewhere else those on carers allowance would get it - but then how would the GP know that?

I am on the carers list at the GP

Similar for being morbidly obese to be honest... I fit that category too - and pretty sure the doctor doesn't know that.

I was wondering this. And paid carers. Can the carer who takes my 93 y o parent to her vax appt get one too ?

You can register as a carer with your gp. I’ve got an autistic child so I registered as an informal carer on my gp’s website

I don’t think it would be very fair if they limited it to those who claim carers allowance. I think you can only claim that if you earn less than something like £135 a week.

You could quite feasibly earn more than that but still spend a large amount of time caring for a vulnerable person who would suffer hugely if you caught covid and couldn’t care for them.

I'm registered as a carer with my GP. I'm also registered with a carers group run by my council. I don't qualify for carers allowance as I work so the GP and council group are the only organisations who know about my caring responsibilities.

I didn't know carers would qualify in group 6. That is good news for me.

I read you have to contact your GP but I am reluctant to bother my GP at the moment.

I’m hoping my gp will realise, every year they invite me to have a flu jab as they know I’m a carer for my housebound mum
I’m in a different area to my mum too

How do you register with your GP though? It seems a bit weird just to call them up and tell them I’m caring for my Mum! I feel like they’d just say “good for you”!

I’m also registered as a carer at my Gp, it’s usually mentioned when I get my flu jab, although I’d get one anyway as asthmatic,

I asked this question a few days ago and was advised to look on my GPS website. I was able to register there. Have a look. It was all electronic so you aren't wasting anyone's time.

I have 2 disabled DC, and I contacted GP and they were fine as were aware of DC also on their books and moved me from group 9 to group 6. Did say they wouldn’t have done so without me asking though

Our GPs surgery says than unofficial carers will not be given priority

My GP has a note on my file that I am a carer. I don't claim carer's allowance.

I get my flu jab as a carer. I will chase up the vaccine criteria. I care for my son who had autism.

My DM had to take my step dad with severe dementia for his vaccination but they said apologetically they couldn't give her the jab because she's under 80 (she's late 70s)

It seems a huge oversight to me that elderly unpaid carers couldn't be vaccinated together with those they care for in these circumstances. Surely it prevents undue strain on the NHS if unpaid carers get Covid and are unable to continue caring responsibilities

You’ve made me think should I call to see which band I’m in. I’ve assumed as they know and contact me re flu this would happen

Well I rang up my doctors today and they didn’t seem to have a clue what I was talking about.

I was wondering about this, I rang my GP and they said they don't have anything to do with the Corona vaccine but not to worry as I'll be coded in the system as a carer so will be notified when I can get my vaccine... knowing my luck I won't be notified though xxx

You should be registered with your GP as a carer because this is how you also access the flu jab

@goose1964

Our GPs surgery says than unofficial carers will not be given priority

What do they class as official and unofficial? Seems very unfair.

My GP surgery were also unaware of this - I recieved a snotty email telling me I was wrong . I replied with various links that prove otherwise . I’m sure maybe when it gets closer to the time of vaccine group six they will hopefully be more clued up .

You’re supposed to contact your GP to be added to the carers list they hold. Most surgeries have an online form to fill in.

However if you have a surgery like ours they’ll refuse to add you to the list and make you feel like you are trying to play the system to gain something you aren’t entitled to.

Yep, they did treat me like I was trying to get myself up the list.

@goose1964 Our GPs surgery says than unofficial carers will not be given priority what that means is the person you care for has to be in receipt of dla, pip or aa not that the carer has to be in receipt of carers allowance.