Should I get the vaccination as a carer

[Morph2lcfc]

I know carers can get the vaccination as part of group 6 but I’ve not notified my gp I’m technically classed as a carer and I’m wondering if I should or not.

Obviously within people that are classed as carers there is a whole range from people requiring 24 care and assistance with food, toileting etc downwards to less care required.

Ds is 10 and autistic. For context he is in a special school as mainstream couldn’t meet his needs so I guess that shows he has higher needs than the average 10 year old. He needs a lot of prompts to do stuff but he can feed himself and use the toilet. If I was ill he could for example get himself some crisps out the cupboard and a glass of water out the tap so while it wouldn’t he wouldn’t starve and in this context I don’t think we are much different to most families with nt children Especially younger children. Where we would be different is that due to his asd he struggles with change and can have violent meltdowns so if the worse came to the worse and he had to go into foster care he would be very challenging for the carers to cope with.

I wondering whether to tell gp I’m a carer or not as I’m working from home and not going anywhere except once a week shopping and dropping ds off at the school gates. I feel abit guilty at the thought of jumping ahead in the queue above people like teachers and supermarket workers who are more at risk and having to deal with the public day in day out. I am 47 so once they’ve done the top 10 priority groups it will depend on if they decide to continue going down by age or if they then go onto a different allocation.

Would be grateful for feedback on whether I should get as a carer or not

At 47 you're just moving into the risk bracket, and it sounds like your situation is stressful and a hospitalization would create a lot of challenges, if your son's needs are challenging enough to require special school. I would go for it.

I’m on the GPS carers list as I have a 12year old with ASD/ADHD - he’s in mainstream. I think you should get the fact you’re a carer noted with your GP.

Speak to your gp. Personally I think you should be prioritised but not convinced the powers at be will see it that way.

There are more reasons to register as a carer with a go than the vaccine. Flu jabs, getting on the list for any special services or clinics, flexible appointment times, stress management services etc.

I was wondering about this. Single parent with one child with ADHD/ASD but mainstream. I’m not sure at what point his needs tip me into carer ( not for the vaccine particularly!) I know in my work context I do fulfil their criteria.

You should register as a carer regardless of the covid vaccine - it's important for lots of reasons that this should be noted on your medical records.

Thanks for comments I’ve emailed the gp surgery.

Frazzled- powers that be have already announced carers are in priority group 6 so I could get as a carer I just didn’t know if I should.

Yes you are eligible under group 6 for the vaccine.
My DH is eligible as he is a carer for his autistic brother. My DH doesn’t have any health issues and is generally very fit, but he is 42 and I’ve advised him to get the vaccine when it’s offered. He isn’t too sure either and thinks he should wait until they vaccinate all the adults in group 11.

Good luck- my surgery have invented a rule that registration as carers is now closed as too many 'queue jumpers' (people who never realised they had to register with their GP as a carer, so not queue jumpers at all) had been calling in.
Really perverse mentality in stopping people who are eligible for the vaccine from getting it.

I notified my GP that I'm a carer this morning (and offered to provide copy of Carers allowance etc but they said it wasn't necessary).

I am 36 and in good health, so ordinarily I'd be way down the list. My child has autism, and is in mainstream school on an EHCP. I've kept her home and homeschooled her even though she's allowed a place, we've followed the rules. She doesn't have very profound needs, but she needs a lot of support and she needs me.

So I don't feel bad about 'queue jumping'. It's not queue jumping anyway if you're actually entitled to it!

I also never realised I could get a flu jab without having to pay for it so that's useful information too.

@StepOutOfHypocrisy

Good luck- my surgery have invented a rule that registration as carers is now closed as too many 'queue jumpers' (people who never realised they had to register with their GP as a carer, so not queue jumpers at all) had been calling in. Really perverse mentality in stopping people who are eligible for the vaccine from getting it.

I would be making a formal complaint it is not their decision to make. Would they say there are too many people with health conditions that are registering? Are they limiting the number of over weight people from being weighed in case they are in group 6? Highly unethical.

@brunetteonthebus

Glad to hear not all GP practices are so unhelpful and obstructive.
They seem to think their opinion is more important than the facts. They might like to change the JCVI priority list, but the fact remains that there is a very clear NHS definition of a carer and it is not a matter of opinion.

It is also a good thing that so many people have been prompted to register as a carer, since this means that they will get the flu jabs they have been entitled all along, support groups etc.

It is a disgrace that so many people who clearly fulfil the role of a carer by the the NHS definition have not been flagged as carers and have missed out on years' of support that they really needed, but had no idea was there.

Even more disgraceful that someone has taken it on themselves to make sure that these people cannot access this going forward by preventing them registering.

They can’t do that, carers are part of group 6 so entitled.
The only thing the surgery can do is ask for proof of being a registered carer.

@StepOutOfHypocrisy

Good luck- my surgery have invented a rule that registration as carers is now closed as too many 'queue jumpers' (people who never realised they had to register with their GP as a carer, so not queue jumpers at all) had been calling in. Really perverse mentality in stopping people who are eligible for the vaccine from getting it.

That is disgraceful! The surgery ought to be ashamed! These carers need to complain and write to their MP if they get nowhere.

I have only just registered as a carer for my adult daughter with out surgery, I have been getting carers allowance for the last 4 years - I didn't know I should register it with my gp until covid and the vaccine!

It is good that you can get Carers Allowance and can use this as evidence, but some people on higher incomes are not eligible for Carers Allowance but the GP seem to think that this means they therefore are not Carers - they are basically making access to the vaccine means-tested as a result, which of course they didn't for the elderly. And of course it is available anyone who is eligible. But if the GP practice refuse to update your notes then your eligibility is not registered.

@StepOutOfHypocrisy

Good luck- my surgery have invented a rule that registration as carers is now closed as too many 'queue jumpers' (people who never realised they had to register with their GP as a carer, so not queue jumpers at all) had been calling in. Really perverse mentality in stopping people who are eligible for the vaccine from getting it.

Report them to the CCG

@StepOutOfHypocrisy I was surprised that they didn't ask for proof, I put on my email that I was happy to provide it. But no, not required. They noted that they'd updated both of our records (mine and my daughters) so I assume looking at her medical record and seeing her diagnosis might have been adequate for them. She is very young so it's quite obvious to anyone with sense that she requires full time care.

I am disgusted that other practices have just said no. Fine to request proof I think, there are people out there that would lie I'm sure. Although where that leaves people with no CA I don't know? I suppose the thinking behind that is if you're working and so not eligible for CA then your not a full time carer, you just have some caring responsibilities. I don't necessarily agree with that, but just trying to work out the reasoning behind it.

@brunetteonthebus

Yes, I think that is one reasoning, but that is an opinion, the NHS definition of Carer expressly includes unpaid carers, so the GP practice is discriminating based on opinion and yes, if they don't comply with their obligations then complaints will be made.

You don't have to be a full-time carer, the point of being in group 6 and getting vaccinated is stated that someone else may come to harm if you get sick or die. That does not just apply to full-time carers. It also does not just apply to carers of those with physical illness, but also to carers of those with mental illness. So it may be that they are discriminating on that basis also.

Emailed last week and have just received a call offering the vaccination 330 today!! It’s at the local doctors rather than the vaccination centre where I took my mum for hers

I made sure my doctor knew i was a carer and received carers allowance for my children. It doesnt bump you up much tbh. Maybe by one category, but its still worth telling them

It’s bumped me up as I wouldn’t be in any category if I wasn’t a carer so wouldn’t get till much later in year

Good to see youve been offered an appt already. Apparently im due to get mine between end of february and end of March

I've been registered as a carer with GP since 2016 but I don't receive carers allowance. Got my invite for vaccination last week letter arrived after I had the jab.