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Covid

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Original poster

Booked my vaccine as group 6, I was asked for a carers card!!

25 replies

fireflylanegirls · 12/03/2021 16:18

I had my vaccine this afternoon.

I booked my vaccine online, I’m group 6.

I had tried for a few weeks to book it which I was told I wasn’t eligible, but I saw a post on here saying group 6 could book, so I tried and it allowed me to.

That same week I got a text from my Gp to book via a link they sent me.
I just kept my online appointment.

When I arrived today they asked me for my carers card.

I told them I hadn’t specified that I was a carer (which I hadn’t)
Thankfully I showed him the text from my Gp and he allowed me to go in.

He said I was the 3rd person it had happened to today.

I know for a fact I didn’t click I was a carer because that option wasn’t even there.

I entered my NHS number it asked if I was CEV I clicked no and it took me to the booking page.

I’m really worried that I won’t get my second vaccine now.

OP posts:

Hidinginstaircupboard · 12/03/2021 16:25

So are you group 6 because of being a carer?
If you are, make sure you register with your GP (which it sounds like you have if that's the reason) snd ask them for a carers card. Ring your LA and ask for a carers card, or where you can get one from. Of the Heath service are asking it's likely they have a health set up to issue carers cards. The only carers cards I know of are voluntary agency ones that say, 'I am the carer for a dependent relative x please contact y - usually a statutory helpline or emergency for carers planning number- if I am in an accident'

For example the Princess Royal Trust for Carers have mentioned organising these in the past. Not sure that any statutory agency issues them as standard though!!

If you're not a carer and group 6 for another reason then, all about confusing

simbobs · 12/03/2021 16:28

You will definitely get your second one as you are now in the system, but if you booked the first one online then you should have been give the option to book the second at the same time.

I have just had mine. Anyone over 55 can now book.

MummytoCSJH · 12/03/2021 16:36

What's a carers card?!

KnottyKnitting · 12/03/2021 16:41

This exact thing happened to me yesterday when I went for my jab ( I am in group 8 ages 56)Luckily I had the nhs letter inviting me to book my jab which I showed to the lady who booked me in- she said perhaps I had accidentally checked the carers box but I'm pretty sure I hadn't.

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 12/03/2021 16:52

@Hidinginstaircupboard

So are you group 6 because of being a carer? If you are, make sure you register with your GP (which it sounds like you have if that's the reason) snd ask them for a carers card. Ring your LA and ask for a carers card, or where you can get one from. Of the Heath service are asking it's likely they have a health set up to issue carers cards. The only carers cards I know of are voluntary agency ones that say, 'I am the carer for a dependent relative x please contact y - usually a statutory helpline or emergency for carers planning number- if I am in an accident'

For example the Princess Royal Trust for Carers have mentioned organising these in the past. Not sure that any statutory agency issues them as standard though!!

If you're not a carer and group 6 for another reason then, all about confusing

@Hidinginstaircupboard

No, I’m group 6 because of my BMI.

I didn’t know I was group 6 until a few weeks ago when I went to the Drs for some blood tests.
It involved my weight and blood pressure and I was told then I was being put into group 6.

I’m not a carer.

OP posts:

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 12/03/2021 16:52

No such thing as a carers card! Although you do get a letter from the DWP once a year.

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 12/03/2021 16:53

@KnottyKnitting

@KnottyKnitting

I’m just glad I had the text from my GP.

I know I didn’t click carer because that option didn’t even appear!

OP posts:

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 12/03/2021 16:54

@JellyBabiesSaveLives

No such thing as a carers card! Although you do get a letter from the DWP once a year.

@JellyBabiesSaveLives

Well I have no idea, but that’s definitely what he asked me for. A carers card.

OP posts:

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 12/03/2021 16:54

@simbobs

You will definitely get your second one as you are now in the system, but if you booked the first one online then you should have been give the option to book the second at the same time.

I have just had mine. Anyone over 55 can now book.

@simbobs

Yes I’ve got my second one booked.

I’m 35 but I’m group 6. So I wasn’t vaccinated for age.

OP posts:

SendMeHome · 12/03/2021 16:56

I don’t think group 6 are supposed to book online, you’re supposed to wait for the text from your GP and they book you in separately. There’s been loads of people trying to use the online booking system locally for group 6, there’s leaflets everywhere telling people to wait for their GPS.

Glad you had your text, and that you got your jab!

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 12/03/2021 17:01

@SendMeHome

Glad you had your text, and that you got your jab!

@SendMeHome

I didn’t think so either but I saw a few posts on here saying it was accepting.
I’d already tried a few times and it said I wasn’t eligible but the time I booked it said I was and I know I definitely didn’t click carer.

The times I’d tried previously it asked me if I was a carer / frontline and when I said no it wouldn’t let me go any further.

The time it let me actually book it didn’t bring up the question about being a carer / frontline.
I entered my NHS number and it asked if I was CEV, I clicked no and it took me to a list of local vaccination centres.

I also know a few people IRL that are group 6 and booked online too.

Either way I’m eligible as I have the text from my Gp, which is the only reason the vaccine Centre let me in.

I just hope I don’t have any issues with my second appointment, which I already have booked.

OP posts:

CovidPostingName · 12/03/2021 17:06

@SendMeHome If you're a carer in receipt of Carers Allowance you can certainly book online and should do so. The more people who can go via marginal hubs, the quicker GPs will get through those that can't including the group 6 vulnerable. Carers not in receipt of CA have had to wait for GP contact for the most part, but GPs are uploading batches of group 6 details regularly so it's worth checking every day and booking nationally if you can.

Retrievemysanity · 12/03/2021 17:09

@JellyBabiesSaveLives yes there is!

ijokeijoke · 12/03/2021 17:12

My DP a went today, it was a free for all. He called me and said I could just walk up and get one if I wanted. I'm 31.

CovidPostingName · 12/03/2021 17:12

@JellyBabiesSaveLives - Many county councils run Carer registration schemes for adult carers and child carers, and you don't need to be claiming carers allowance either. I have a carers card from my council.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/03/2021 17:17

That’s weird. I’m group 6 for a heart condition and had mine yesterday. Didn’t get asked for any ID.

I think they are likely to give you your second jab as they don’t want people half jabbed!

Lindy2 · 12/03/2021 17:18

I'm a carer and I'm pretty sure I've never been given a card.

I have my vaccination tomorrow morning. I have my GP's text invitation as proof that I was asked to book. I have nothing else to show them. Hopefully it will be ok.

SusannahSophia · 12/03/2021 17:31

I have never heard of a carer’s card. I used to get carer’s allowance but now I earn ‘too much.’ (over £400/month) I’m registered as an unpaid carer at my GP, though and was invited by them 2 weeks ago to our local hub. They asked me if I was an NHS worker, care worker or a carer and I didn’t need any proof I was a carer. It does seem to vary quite a lot.

Goonergirl14 · 12/03/2021 17:35

I have a Carer's Privilege Card which I got through my local Carer's Centre via the council. I am in Scotland we can self-refer from Monday.

noodlmcdoodl · 12/03/2021 18:15

Worth having a carer’s card - ask your local Adult Social Care Dept. As others have said you don’t need to be in receipt of ÇA. As part of the card being issued, you’d completed a carers contingency plan and provide emergency contacts (of others who could step in during your absence) if available. The plan would then be married up to your card and kept on record with your council (adult social care). You carry the card around (like a donor card), then if something happens to you, Emergency Services ‘should’ find your card and realise you have someone dependent on your care and potentially in a bit of a pickle. Hopefully Social Care will then be contacted so your contingency plan can be put in place... or Social Care can make arrangements to support the cared for.

SusannahSophia · 12/03/2021 19:03

This carer’s card sounds regional to me. There’s nothing like it in my LA. (English LA)

bathsh3ba · 12/03/2021 19:27

Hmm, I booked online in group 6 (not a carer) and also subsequently got a text from GP to book but I deleted it! Hope I still get my jab next week!

Wbeezer · 12/03/2021 19:32

I'm a bit worried about DS3 now, i got phoned this afternoon to book a Jab for him, he's 16 and perfectly healthy! He does have ADHD so I don't know if it's that, the surgery is closed and the appt is on Sunday so I cant check before.

WombatChocolate · 12/03/2021 20:38

There are 2 systems running. One is the national booking system which feeds to mostly large vaccine centres. The other is to GP led services, often local to the surgery in community centres etc.

Originally Group 6 had to wait for a GP led invite - usually a text and then they booked via a local booking website to the local site. However about a week or so ago,not he national booking system opened to Group 6 too. They are listed as being eligible on the front page as clinically vulnerable/moderately vulnerable. Carers are also listed there.

When you book in the national site you will receive a booking confirmation. You could show that.

I think the site does ask carers to bring proof of status and also anyone booking as social care workers. Group 6 medical conditions shouldn't have to show anything and only book and show as eligible if flagged by GPs anyway...however, some have been asked for evidence. So, if you do have something it's worth taking with you, but no-one should be turned away who is medical need from Group 6 as proof is not requested (and most won't have any proof anyway)

Scarlettpixie · 13/03/2021 09:29

@simbobs

You will definitely get your second one as you are now in the system, but if you booked the first one online then you should have been give the option to book the second at the same time.

I have just had mine. Anyone over 55 can now book.

Whether you can book the second at the same time or not depends on area.

In my area when you book your first jab online you are told you will get another text to book the second jab in due course.

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