Vaccine for unpaid carer- no carers allowance

[Hmmph]

I am an unpaid carer for my elderly CEV Mum and not in receipt of a carers allowance. There is a carers flag on my NHS record. I have not been invited for a vaccine and GP has now moved on to over 60s. I can’t book online as it says I am ineligible. GP says carers should book online or call 119 and the GP is not doing group 6. Will 119 know I am a carer or do they use the same system as online? Are GPS or National booking vaccinating unpaid carers elsewhere? I thought it was GPs because of needing records and I think my GP is wrong.

Further information:
My Mum has had her first vaccine, but as her vulnerability is Leukaemia and she’s elderly, it may not be as effective as in others. I want to be vaccinated so I don't infect her and also so I don’t fall ill because then she can’t go to appointments or get shopping.

She doesn’t receive benefits as doesn’t have a disability as such (although she might count as partially sighted), but she can’t drive or use the Internet, can’t understand bills or finances, can’t change batteries etc, she relies on me a lot. This is why I am registered as her carer (partly because of the toll on me of this responsibility).

I dont know unfortunately op. But do you know if you can be recognised as a carer if the person is married and living with them? My mum has my dad there but she is cev and he is over 75

Can I tag along? I'm wondering what "qualifies" you as unpaid carer?. I and my two sons share the care of bedbound DH, although we do have paid carers too.

I've had my vaccination because of my work, but I'm wondering if the boys (my adult boys ) should be on a list because of the risk they pose to DH?

I think its probably to provide continuity of care. Not unfortunately to protect the person from catching it. As they are not vaxxing families of cev people.

For the Coronavirus vaccine, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Public Health England (PHE) Green Book have outlined that unpaid carers eligible for the vaccine are:
One site says
“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”

@HSHorror Do you mean you’re a carer to both your parents, or that your Mum wants to be register as a carer of your Dad. If the later, I would have thought they’d both be vaccinated anyway? But should have a flag on her record if she is caring for your Dad due to the effects on her health.

@Guidebutton The vaccine list says unpaid carers who are the Main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. So sadly I don’t think your sons would qualify for the vaccine. (My DH who also helps look after my Mum wouldn’t qualify). But they should consider getting their GP to register them as carers - it can take a physical and emotional toll on you and GPS should be aware for this reason.

Just my mum as cev due to copd.

That's OK, thank you. I wasn't really hoping to jump any queues, just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something I was supposed to register.

I don’t think you meant it this way, but just in case...

I’m not trying to queue jump either, I should be getting the vaccine in group 6 because I meet the criteria: I am an unpaid adult carer – the main carer of an elderly person whose welfare may be at risk if I fall ill.

When you go on the site to book it says carers ....it doesn't specify if paid or not so you are a carer therefore yes you book

In my area there are so many unused slots so I say book yourself on

The online booking says you can only use if you are a carer in receipt of a carers allowance. I am not. I do not have to be in receipt of a carers allowance to qualify under group 6.

“You can only use this service if any of the following apply:

you are aged 64 or over
you have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
you are an eligible frontline health worker
you are an eligible frontline social care worker
you are eligible for Carer's Allowance – find out more about Carer's Allowance on GOV.UK”

I'm waiting to see if they introduce 'cocoon' vaccines for those who live with Immunosuppressed CEV no that reduction in transmission is being seen. I imagine quite a few of us are. I don't want my family to 'jump' the queue but I would be far safer if they are vaccinated too (they all had the flu jab this year to protect me). I did consider the 'carer' route but I just don't feel it qualifies, I rely on them for food and supplies but I am more than capable physically to care for myself so felt it didn't fit. Is anyone else in the same boat? (Just in case people don't realise, those who are CEV due to an issue with immunity may not have any response to the vaccine despite having it, cocooning the whole family with vaccine limits our chance of getting ill via them)

@Hmmph

I don’t think you meant it this way, but just in case...

I’m not trying to queue jump either, I should be getting the vaccine in group 6 because I meet the criteria: I am an unpaid adult carer – the main carer of an elderly person whose welfare may be at risk if I fall ill.

Oh no! I didn't mean you at all. I was thinking about my boys and it probably would be unreasonable to expect that they had it.

In our area the GPs are booking unpaid carers in. My friend in a similar position to you called the surgery and was given an appointment a few days later.

Eligible for carers allowance isn't necessarily the same as in receipt of it.

I received it for my son, then works hours increased so don't receive it as earn too much. But his needs remain the same, and that's the reason carers are being vaccinated, to make sure the people who rely on us don't catch it from us and aren't left on their own with no care if we catch it and suffer badly.

Other than income, I would receive it.

I expect (but don't know) that it's a bit like Child Benefit. With that, if you earn so much you'd have to pay it back, you still claim as it gives entitlement to other things. You just don't take the money. I would expect it to be the same for Carers Allowance, the difference being that they don't offer the money, but the entitlement/underlying eligibility still remains.

Don't know though, sadly!

It seems to me that GPs are making their own interpretation of the rules. Some are being more flexible than others. My friend is housebound though not CEV and when they went to vaccinate her they did her adult don and her DH. It makes sense to me.
On the other hand my friend in another area was refused it in similar circumstances.
I think there is a case for just doing everyone if an opportunity arises and not being too rigid about it. After all, everyone will get it some time soon.

I read the other day that come the 1st of March (in Scotland at least) unpaid carer not booked in under CA will be able to sell refer via online booking system. I'm sorry I've misplaced the link. If I find it I will add it.

Hopefully that is the same plan for elsewhere across the U.K.?! 🤷🏻‍♀️