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... 🤔

You have a message telling you to book so book! You aren't stealing a vaccine from someone else there will enough for everyone to be done in the coming months. They will ask if you are a carer, you are, if they ask for proof show them the text received telling you too book, no one is going to be asking the specifics as to why or who you are a carer for.

I think a lot of things are showing up as CEV on their records which we wouldn't necessarily assume were CEV..? I was given an appointment a couple of weeks ago and couldn't figure out why. It didn't ask me anything when I followed the text to the booking form, about being a carer, (I'm not), or anything except "have you had covid", "are you severely allergic to anything" type questions. My GP surgery when I contacted them to ask them, said they couldn't discuss anything about vaccination and to follow instructions on the text. So, I did and was offered an appointment almost immediately. I still don't know why! I am your weight and bmi too. I assume there is something in my medical history which has triggered it. I am not shielding though and didn't think I was vulnerable.

In the end, I posted on here and everyone said just book it, as it's more faff to rearrange, so I went for it. Whatever the reason is, I'm extremely grateful to have had it.

I’m a bit confused op. If u are receiving dla then you are eligible for the vaccine. You are an paid carer.
Ring 119 and tell them or get your GP to sort it out ASAP. All paid and unpaid carers have received their vaccine in my area.

I also don’t understand why you think your child has to be CEV to be eligible for the vaccine. This isn’t the case at all. If you are a registered carer and especially if you are receiving dla for your dc then you are eligible.
My DH is a carer for his brother who has autism and he was vaccinated despite not receiving DLA for him.

Call your GP and get the vaccine you are entitled to, you need to protect yourself so that you can continue to care for your dc.

Nobody will ask you for proof. I didn't even sit down - I walked into a little cupboard at the pharmacy and they basically charged at me with a syringe!

Oh and mine was because of a mysterious health condition. I'm 36 - I have had pneumonia but otherwise no idea why.

Just book OP. Lets not waste any doses, especially at the moment when we don't know when the next lot are coming.

It seems unpaid carers are now being offered the vaccine, although you're right that the NHS website does state only for carers of CEV children. It's confusing.

You could have been put forward by your gp practice because of your high BMI? A BMI of 30 tips into the obese range,, particularly if you're diabetic or have been treated for gestational diabetes or other health conditions related to weight.

You're deserving of the vaccine, particularly as the primary carer for your disabled son. I hope your gp practice can arrange it for you, or you can access online using the tips on here.

@2boysand1princess It’s because it says this on the booking screen:

My son’s conditions don’t make him high risk. He’s not on the ‘Find out who’s at high risk’ link as I checked in case it had changed.

It sounds like I should just say yes and book though...

Yes he’s high risk because if you got very ill that would mean you would struggle to care for your child . I mean realistically all parents should be offered the vaccine for this reason but obviously parent carers are priority , book it today op .
I’m a parent carer and me dh and ds had the vaccine a few weeks back . Dd hasn’t and has caught it we’ve luckily been fine but maybe not so without the vaccine .

Just tick the CEV box and get it booked. You're way overthinking it.
You've been contacted for a reason, not your fault the IT system isn't fit for purpose in that it doesn't give you other option boxes to tick.

Thank you so much for your help.

Who would take over caring for your high needs ds, if you are laid low with covid?

That's why you've been invited tho book.

I claim carers allowance. DS has middle rate care, lower rate mobility the same as you. You are classified as group 6 and should have already been vaccinated.

Honestly just click whatever needs to be clicked, you're not queue jumping. Something has obviously gone wrong.

[quote Ladderclimber]@2boysand1princess It’s because it says this on the booking screen:

My son’s conditions don’t make him high risk. He’s not on the ‘Find out who’s at high risk’ link as I checked in case it had changed.

It sounds like I should just say yes and book though...[/quote]
Yep he is high risk. Not in terms of his health, but the fact that he needs a carer. You get the vaccine to protect yourself, so you don’t end up risking having to be hospitalised leaving your son behind.
That’s the idea behind vaccinating carers. Nothing to do with whether he is clinically at high risk of getting ill himself from covid.

Carers are included in the group also because of the difficulty of you become ill.

I had mine under category 6 for that reason. My Ds has Asd/Adhd. But would be extremely traumatic and end up in care if I went into hospital. He is vulnerable in many ways.

Have you booked yet? You should. If they sent the link then they want you to book. Think of your son. He would be at high risk if you get seriously ill or die.

Parents/carers of SEN children are being invited for their jab a few of my friends have been invited for theirs and had them on those grounds they ticked the CEV box

It’s not about whether your child gets DLA. If YOU get carers allowance Or are registered as an unpaid carer with your GP you can book. I booked, no issues using my NHS number. I get CA.

Thank you all very much, I have booked. You are right that my son needs me to be well. Interestingly, I had my pick of times so could have literally strolled into the centre 5 minutes later (if I lived near enough) or at any point over the next 5 days so I don’t feel like I’m taking a spot that would otherwise even necessarily be taken.

Brilliant news!

@Ladderclimber glad you’ve booked it.

Hi OP,

My DS has ASD, and I agree with your interpretation that unless our kids have other conditions, then they are not CEV. Different situation for someone who cares for an adult with ASD, also I think this has been tightened up recently, presumably because lots of people are saying they are a carer. I would also feel uncomfortable about ticking a box/saying something that wasn't true but I tend to be a bit 'black and white' about these things!

In the grand scheme of things, you would probably be due your vaccine soon anyway, and every person vaccinated helps, so either course of action would be reasonable.

@rosie39forever

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

agree. I think you are eligible and anyway I have read plenty of stories on here of people in their 30s being called up with no extenuating circumstances. You won't be 'getting someone else's jab - the more people get jabbed the quicker we get out of this. The fact that you got a text suggests there's a jab out there ready to be assigned to yourself. It's not your fault that the website's wording doesn't quite match up with it. When you go for your jab have some paperwork ready to prove it but I'd be surprised if you were asked.