Bucks unpaid carers helped to register for COVID jab

Unpaid carers are being urged to make sure they are registered with Carers Bucks so they do not miss out on their invitation to get a COVID vaccination.

Carers fall into group 6 of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list and are now being invited for their vaccinations.

However, some people who are eligible to get a vaccine may not be registered as an unpaid carer. Or, they may not have been previously identified as a carer by their GP surgery. Some people also may not realise they qualify as unpaid carer.

You are eligible to get a vaccination if:

• You are receiving, or are eligible to receive, a carer's allowance.
• You are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is clinically extremely vulnerable. This includes carers of children who are clinically extremely vulnerable, as per the JCVI definitions.
• You are 16 or 17 and are a carer of an elderly or disabled person who is clinically extremely vulnerable

Eligible carers who have been flagged by their GP and those that receive a Carers Allowance, or are eligible to receive it, will be invited for a vaccination. They will get a letter from the NHS asking them to arrange a vaccination through the National Booking System.

However, some unpaid carers in Bucks may not be recognised in these ways. Buckinghamshire Council is working with Carers Bucks to identify any unpaid carers who are not prioritised through the two routes above or are not currently known to either Carers Bucks or the Council. These people will then be sent letters inviting them to arrange a vaccination through the National Booking System.

If you are not already registered as an unpaid carer, you can do so at https://carersbucks.org/contact-us/register/ or call 0300 777 2722 for more information.

Approximately 11,000 unpaid carers are already registered with Carers Bucks. The charity will send out emails or letters to all those under 70 years of age to ask permission to share their information with the NHS, so vaccine invitation letters can then be sent.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: "If you are an unpaid carer, please make sure you are registered with Carers Bucks. By doing this, you can make sure you don't miss out on your vaccination invitation, which will help to protect both yourself and the person you care for.

"Carers Bucks also offers other kinds of invaluable support to carers and can provide a real lifeline when you need it most. By registering with them, you will be able to access free services including information, emotional support, workshops and training."

ENDS

Notes to Editor
 

Vaccinations are now available across Buckinghamshire at:

• 9 GP-led Vaccination Centres across the county (Buckingham, Burnham, Chalfont St Peter, Chesham, High Wycombe, High Wycombe town centre, Princes Risborough, Stoke Mandeville, Winslow; all by invitation from your surgery)
• 8 Pharmacy-led sites (Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, Haddenham, Marlow, Wing, Wycombe; all through the National Booking System)
• 1 Large-Scale Vaccination Centre (Aylesbury; through the National Booking System)

More information on the vaccination programme in Buckinghamshire can be found at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/community-hub/covid-19-vaccination-programme