Carers Allowance/online booking of vaccine

[TheGoodEnoughWife]

It now states that people in receipt of CA can book online for a vaccine (on the very first page) however when I try I check the 'not health care worker or care worker' and it doesn't let me go any further for booking. Has anyone managed to book a vaccine this way yet as a carer receiving CA?

Hi,

On his records it says carer and then - Carer (Ub1ju)
Does that mean he is correctly flagged in the system? Thank you

That sounds correct (I don't know about the actual wording of the 'coded') so hopefully he will be called with the group six at the GPs.

I am going to write to my MP, I got my vaccine booked but we are in a situation that we have carers who qualify for a code that is there for good reasons that are just as dangerous as covid and they are being denied or even removed from the carers code because of a temporary definition of carers. I have witnessed two children being placed in residential in the last 12 months, with one parent who is now sectioned due to suicide attempts because of this. The carers code is a signpost that a person may need extra help, they are not just removing the vaccine, people will get it eventually but they are breaking trust and a lifeline for carers.

Totally agree @Boulshired.

Everyone over 60 can now book!

If you cant book on google then ring 119

Completely agree Boulshired. I have my vacinne booked now through the website as it must have recognised that I receive CA, but GP is still being difficult about registering me as a carer - insisting I send proof of CA, which I can do but others who should be coded as carers might not be able to.

I'm flagged as a carer for a parent with GP, have double checked.

119 let me book for next week but did say I'd need to take the PIP letter for the person I care for .... sorry not been able to read all the thread but has anyone else experienced this ?

I've booked my test for next Thursday (lots of availability before that but that was the first day I could get childcare). I work during school hours and earn over the threshold, but manage to qualify for CA as I pay 65% of my wage into my pension to bring it below the threshold (DWP disregard 50% of pension payments). I get less take-home overall but it means I'm building up my pension.

I'm glad I did that now as it's a clearer way of proving carer eligibility (not just for the vaccine but other situations like free carer entry). Definitely worth looking into doing this if your wage is only just over the threshold for CA.

I have my jab tomorrow and will report back but was wondering if anyone on here who has booked this way actually been for their jab yet? If so how was it? Were you asked for evidence of CA please?

Mines tomorrow and I’m taking my form, had to order one last week in case I needed it. Two friends had appointments this week both were not asked. Also clear in email you are not expected to bring it. But my trust in anyone connected to DS2 at the moment is at a bit of a low and it was never that high to begin with. I will have to show them my arm and it’s badly bruised so I know I’m going to get the pity look just hope I get no questions. No one I know as had any bad reactions.

That's interesting - thank you.
I agree the email doesn't say to bring any proof but I have a CA letter that I am taking just in case having heard stories of questions or refusal!

My invite letter arrived today. It said it was because I am a carer to someone who is CV but I think it means because I have CA as it is centrally issued rather a GP one. So people who get CA should now be getting them to use as evidence.

Ah @Spikeyball i wonder if we will all get letters as CA receivers.

Our post is really slow at the moment so only get deliveries once or twice a week so no letter here but maybe will get one.

I have a CA letter so feel able to challenge if needed but hopefully won't need to. I don't want to be down on the hubs. I am sure they are busy and stressed and some having to bat off people that aren't supposed to be there yet.
(Am also 90% certain they won't even ask and challenges are probably rare!)

DS2 is not considered clinically vulnerable in accordance to the guidelines but if he was a year older he would be eligible for his own vaccine as clinically vulnerable. Thankful for carers allowance. He is on the list for off license but I have no idea if and when. GP originally refused carers code till proof of CA so was grateful to the booking system so I do not have to go through the GP. No post here either.

I get CA, received a letter from the NHS to book online this morning - "Dear Merlin, We have sent you this letter as our records show you are a carer for someone who is clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 and you are therefore eligible for the free coronavirus vaccine." Appointment is made for Tuesday. I'm so thrilled! I think my area is moving through Group 6 fairly rapidly.

I received my letter today as well, booked in for Tuesday. I receive CA for my ds. I'm not registered as a carer with my gp as far as I am aware and never knew that was a thing to do either.

Got my letter too! Was already booked in.

Mine too!

I am a little confused though - my understanding was to vaccinate carers as the possibility of carers getting the virus and thus being unable to care for their 'person who requires care' would be a big issue and cause the 'person being cared for' difficulty or distress.

However the letter infers we are caring for someone more at risk of getting or being very ill with Covid-19 and that is why we are being vaccinated?

I had really hoped it was the first situation. My cared for person isn't at more risk of getting the virus (Although there would be great distress if he did and had to be separated from me to receive care).

It feels more carers would be covered in the first situation?

(Sorry a bit rambling!)
What does everyone else think?

The letter seems to be worded to agree with the JCVI current changes to the wording, because if this was true then parents without carers allowance would be just as entitled to the vaccine. The DWP can class my child CV when the GP says he is not.

I got my letter this morning, too.

My charges aren't inherently more vulnerable to severe illness from covid (though the one who has barely left the house for the past year has piled on weight, which could well change that) but, were they to become very ill, they couldn't communicate that to us before it became apparent from their behaviour and neither would comply with hospital treatment without sedation. Both of them refuse their flu vaccinations every year, without fail.

I'm also confused with the wording of the letter. Does this mean my son should have the vaccine then if they are on sating he is clinically vulnerable to COVID even though under 16?

I had 2 letters this morning, one direct from NHS and another from county council telling me I've been ignoring their calls (what calls?!) and can book at local hub. I'm already booked at the mass hub but am glad to see a belt and braces approach here.

So I have just received mine, the booklet is now even outdated in the criteria “the sole carer for a highly vulnerable individual”. No ages just individual which parent carers would fall within if they had no CA but proof of DLA.

Good point @Gobacktothe90s

They know who I receive carers for as it is linked to him receiving PiP. Will they call him for a jab? Is he in Group 6? Because I don't actually think he is! (He is an adult)

It just seems they have missed the point between being vulnerable and being vulnerable to COVID-19.

Which means many who don't receive CA might be missed.

It would just be the language as the DWP uses care needs rather than diagnosis, they would not have resources to determine clinically vulnerability and as learning disabilities has shown this can still be fluid as to the clinically vulnerable list. For the individual it would be down to coding by the GP.