Unpaid Carers Added To Group 6 For COVID-19 Vaccinations
As of 15th February, unpaid carers could receive their COVID-19 vaccination after the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) confirmed that it has included unpaid carers on the vaccination priority list (UK wide) in group 6.
Unpaid carers who are also in other vulnerable groups (for example, those 65 and older), may be called for the vaccine sooner.
Regarding this addition, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“Being called for the vaccine in this next phase will bring many unpaid carers a huge sense of relief, having carefully managed the risk of the virus to themselves and their older or disabled relatives for almost a year.
Carers should wait to be called to book an appointment, and once vaccinated some of the hardest-pressed carers will be able to access support with their caring role for the first time in many months.”
With a huge increase in the number of unpaid carers in the UK the past year due to COVID-19 requiring more family members and friends to step in and provide care for loved ones, this change gives unpaid carers the ability to access support safely.
Do I need to do anything?
Make sure that you’re registered as a carer with your GP so that you are contacted when it is your turn to receive the vaccine. Current guidance is that your GP will contact you directly, so provided they have your details registered correctly you should either get a call, text, or email when it is your turn.
For more advice, take a look at Carers UK’s COVID vaccine FAQs.