Carer information and support
Caring for a friend or family member during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a struggle at times - that's why, with the help from the NHS, we have answered your need to know questions on vaccine eligibility, PPE use and where to go for extra information.
Which carers are eligible to get the vaccine?
The first group of Carers invited will be those who are aged 16 and over, support an adult who is at a serious clinical risk from Covid and with whom you have close personal contact or face to face contact.
Carers of children are not included in this phase, apart from Carers of children with serious neuro-disabilities with other complications.
You will be contacted if:
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You are flagged on your GP’s Carers Register as being an unpaid Carer.
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you have been assessed as eligible for the Carers Allowance (regardless of whether you take it up)
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you are known as a Carer to social services or Carers in Hertfordshire.
When will I be contacted?
You don’t need to wait to be contacted if you are registered to receive a Carer’s Allowance. You can book an appointment now via the national booking service www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.
If you are registered at your GP as a carer you will be contacted by the NHS within the next few weeks to be invited to attend an appointment for your first vaccine. It is a phased approach so please wait to be contacted.
If you are known as a Carer to social services or Carers in Hertfordshire you will also be contacted by the NHS in a phased approach.
If you are part of a group already eligible to have the vaccine (currently aged 56 and over, clinically extremely vulnerable or a frontline health or social care worker), you can book your appointment here: NHS national booking service.
I am eligible but not known to any of the organisations above. What should I do?
If you are eligible but don’t believe you are known by your GP, social services or Carers in Hertfordshire, please look out for details of an application process for currently unknown carers to come forward which will be publicised in the coming weeks. You can also check your GP’s website for further information on how to register as a Carer with them.
If I am a carer but not part of this eligible group, when will I get the vaccine?
It is a phased approach and there will be more information on this soon. If you are part of a group already eligible to have the vaccine (currently aged 56 and over, clinically extremely vulnerable or a frontline health or social care worker), you can book your appointment here: NHS National Booking Service.
Can my family/the person I support get the vaccine as well?
The person you support will be eligible for the vaccine if they meet the criteria of people currently being invited for a vaccine (they are aged 56, classed as clinically extremely vulnerable or have a Learning Disability). See Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine. They can book an appointment here: NHS national booking Service.
Can I get a carers assessment?
All Carers are eligible to have a Carer’s Assessment. You can tell us you’re a Carer here: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/carers. However there will be a wait for this. You do not have to have had a Carer’s assessment to be eligible for a vaccine.
What would I need to take to my vaccine appointment?
You will need to take your NHS number, which can be found on any prescription or letter from the NHS, as well as your appointment confirmation.
Once you have received your vaccine, it is normal to feel some side effects from it such as a sore arm or headache. But please be assured that the vaccines have gone through extensive trials and have been approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Plese make sure that you onlu rely on reputable sources of information when you are reading about the vaccine and coronavirus.