I’ve received a text from gp to book my booster but don’t think I’m eligible

[Morph2lcfc]

I had my first vaccinations early as I have an autistic child so I’m classed as unpaid carer. Received a text from gp with link to book booster but looking at criteria I don’t think I eligible and wasn’t expecting an invitation as it only says carers over 16 who care for someone at increased risk from COVID. There is no other criteria I would qualify on as I’m under 50 and have no conditions myself. The text is worded that I qualify as eligible as click to book now rather than a general txt to all saying check if you are eligible. Do I just ignore and assume it’s wrong, I could check with gp I suppose but don’t want to waste their time unnecessarily

I work in a surgery who are booking the boosters. It doesn't matter as long as you have had it 6 months ago then your due it regardless of anything else.

I had first jab early due to having an autistic child and being his carer. I was sent a letter from doctors surgery in feb saying I'm Eligible as I'm caring for someone who is high risk to covid.

I think it's just a generic message for a carer regardless of how at risk the person you are caring for is. Although autism doesn't really increase covid risk, I think they say that those with learning difficulties are at higher risk of covid for some reason.

I haven't heard anything about having the booster myself . I think some areas are more ahead than others like last time around.

I would just try booking it if you want it. It will either let you book or it will not or just ignore it. We might all end up having a Booster by next year anwhay!

Thank f it is 6 months since your last, go and do it. I think it uses up more nhs and vaccination resources to question it a s have to be called again, if you are worried about it being cheating in some way.

JCVI advises that for the 2021 COVID-19 booster vaccine programme individuals who received vaccination in Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme (priority groups 1 to 9) should be offered a third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine. This includes:

• those living in residential care homes for older adults

• all adults aged 50 years or over

• frontline health and social care workers

• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers

• adult household contacts (aged 16 or over) of immunosuppressed individuals

^ From JCVI here

An unpaid carer is eligible it’s just the wording used. Also autistic children were added to the at risk group in September and are eligible for two doses of the vaccine if over 12.

If you are over 6 mth since your 2nd vac and you actually want the booster then book it, if asked at your appointment why you are there (because you're under 50) just say you've had a text invite from the GP and show them the text if they ask to see it, they will not ask you under what pretext you became eligible for your GP to put you forward so you don't need to explain yourself, visual possibly verbal confirmation of the invite from the GP will be sufficient.

I think it depends on when your last one was?

There's a category for learning disabilities, autism counts as ld for covid vaccination purposes (and flu) I queried why I was called for flu vaccine and she told me I qualified

Who cares if you are eligible or not, just accept it and get it done!

@drpet49

Who cares if you are eligible or not, just accept it and get it done!

Because I didn’t want to book and then be turned away when I got there but others have posted this is unlikely to happen due to the way the system works so I’ve gone ahead and booked now

Op, you won’t get turned away if you book the booster, you choose somewhere local to have it, they have your details but don’t ask why you are getting it, they just check is it booster or first or second vaccination.
Just say booster and it will be fine

I had mine last week, all good 😊

If you query whether you’re eligible and ask them to look into it for you, it will take more resources than just goi g and getting it. You having it won’t mean someone else misses out. Just book it ASAP and get done ASAP.

I deal with invites. I read the first line of your post before replying. You are a carer therefore you are eligible.