Text from the NHS but I’m not eligible to book

[Ladderclimber]

Feeling a bit confused. Got a text from the NHS saying I’m eligible to book my vaccine. Definitely the NHS one not a scam. Link to the booking site. I’m age 37, BMI of 30 and am an unpaid carer to a child with ASD who receives DLA (or a parent, as I tend to think of myself!!) I assumed it was triggered as an unpaid carer but when I go to book with my NHS number it says that option is only for carers to CEV children. I’m not a social care worker. I tried my GP and the receptionist had no idea and said to call back tomorrow.

If I say I’m NOT an unpaid carer the website tells me to wait to be contacted by the NHS when it’s my turn, but I have been contacted... 🤔

Have you tried calling 119?

I’ve tried 119 but the lady I spoke to had no idea why I’d eleven contacted or what I should do.

*BEEN contacted

You care for a child who receives DLA... you are an unpaid carer and should be in group 6. Most unpaid carers are being booked through their gp. Call your doc and explain that you've been invited and they should be able to get you an appointment.

Thank you. I thought group 6 because of the DLA thing but the website is VERY clear that it’s only unpaid carers of CEV children. I don’t feel like I should book under that label.

Book and go. Honestly, it’s more faff to rearrange.

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/03/C1182-sop-covid-19-vaccine-deployment-programme-unpaid-carers-jcvi-priority-cohort-6.pdf

This might clarify it. Caring for someone who is CEV is one criteria, but there are others. Are you in receipt of carer’s allowance or have a carer’s flag on your GP records?

I qualified for caring for my mum. CEV is only one criteria. Just book it - it’s in your child’s best interest to be vaccinated

For you to be

Have you actually tried to book though? I am 40, not in group 6, not a carer to anyone, just a normal healthy 40 year old. And I got a text to book last week and had mine yesterday. On the national booking site, it still says 50+ but the link that the GP sent went to the local booking site and I booked there. Everyone else getting theirs done at the same time was same age ish as me, so we are obviously just working our way through younger people around here. If you are offered one, absolutely take it.

119 have been very helpful when I’ve rang them trying to iron out issues for my df’s vaccination. I would recommend giving them a call and seeing what they advise you.

Just book. Some places are getting through people quicker than others. If you're offered take it. We will all get done eventually.

I'm 47 and just a few minutes ago I got a text from GP with link to book so I booked. No underlying health conditions and not a carer.

The only way I could book would be to say that my child is CEV. Do you really think I should? It seems a bit awful. It specifically says that. I’m not eligible for carers’ allowance as I earn too much.

The link I got was to the National booking site not the local one, by the way.

By the way I’d LOVE to get the vaccine so am eager to book but despite being sent a text and link it looks like my only option to get one is to lie and say I have a CEV child (it explicitly asks) and I don’t.

If you got a text with a link then you are eligible to book. The carers allowance booking letter said it was because you are a carer of someone CV which is isn't true in lots of cases either. Whoever is writing these doesn't seem to know the difference between vulnerable, CV or CEV.

Have you tried answering no to the carer and CEV questions? So just using your date of birth and NHS number? Does it come up with not eligible or let you book? Because your answer will be there! If you have been sent the text you are a person they want to book....

The only way I could book would be to say that my child is CEV. Do you really think I should?

Yes. We are all going to have to have the vaccine at some point. You have been invited to book. I think it's perfectly justified.

Just book it, the more people vaccinated the better!! Also with appointments slowing down next month I'd get it while you can.

If your dc gets dla or pip you qualify

Have you tried answering no to the carer and CEV questions? So just using your date of birth and NHS number? Does it come up with not eligible or let you book? Because your answer will be there! If you have been sent the text you are a person they want to book....

With just date of birth and NHS number it says I’m not eligible. And that I should wait to hear from the NHS.

It’s interesting that people think I should book as a carer. I feel guilty! It is so clear on the website that it’s only for parents of CEV children.

My DC gets DLA - middle rate care component and low rate mobility.

You should be able to book because you are a unpaid carer , my dh booked his weeks ago but my dc school arranged it for us . I know of a few who’ve struggled either ring back your gp and explain you are unpaid carer and how can I book or just tick the box so you book on and take some proof but I don’t think you’ll need it .

But you are a parent of cev child so book !!