Info regarding carers

Carers UK welcomes new JCVI advice which includes unpaid carers in the vaccination priority list

[sassy59]

Now that would be good news saramacg. Xxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

I’m working on phone as iPad for some reason won’t do this forum ???! I was concerned about your post after your husband got jabbed but not you. Same thing happened to neighbour, he had to give up job and look after his mum. When I checked out guidance carers like yourself were originally omitted. There is a green book ( guidance) so carers uk took this up and unpaid carers were added to list in December. This means when extremely vulnerable get jabbed you should be in that group. It’s maybe best if you contact carers uk and find out if you have to register as a carer to ensure you are called for jab at the correct time xx

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much saramacg, I use my phone too. Thank you for your concern. I am registered as a carer but the GP surgery wouldn’t budge. I will contact carers uk and maybe try again.

Thank you, take care xxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Hi sassy it says to make sure you are registered as carer with GP

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry we sent messages at same time.

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I’ve just filled in the form again so will see what happens. Fingers crossed. I will get in touch with surgery again soon if I hear nothing. Thank you again. Xxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Hi Sassy have managed to copy and paste this lolCarers UK has welcomed the inclusion of unpaid carers in the publication of new COVID vaccination advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published yesterday (30.12.2020). This advice recommends that carers who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer contracted COVID should be included in Priority 6 alongside people with underlying conditions. When Government published the priority list for the vaccination on 2 December, carers were missing despite the Green Book, which is commonly used as the standard advice for vaccination, stating that they should be included. Carers UK has been calling for unpaid carers to be included urgently in the priority list. Thousands of carers had told Carers UK this was one of their highest priorities to help them through the pandemic.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK said, “We are relieved that this has been rectified and that unpaid carers have been included in the priority list. The pandemic has placed extreme stress on carers, with our research finding 81% of unpaid carers taking on even more care and many unable to take a break. Every day carers have faced the fear of passing on the virus to their loved one whom they care for, or being unable to care and worry about there not being sufficient support for the person they care for. Having kept their loved one safe for so long, many are reaching breaking point."

“The vaccine will provide a lifeline for unpaid carers, reducing worry and fear as well as opening up the possibility of some carers accessing help for the first time in nearly a year."

“Now that the JCVI advice has been published, it is vital that there are clear references to unpaid carers in all DHSC, NHS and Government communications relating to the priority list. Since the first advice came out we have been flooded with queries and concerns from carers saying they had been overlooked and they’ve felt devastated. Government now has an opportunity to ensure that unpaid carers are rightly recognised and ensure that communications about roll-out plans clearly refer to unpaid carers.

Carers UK also welcomes the JCVI guidance that there should be some flexibility in order to minimise wastage of any vaccine. Within this approach, Carers UK recommends that unpaid carers are vaccinated at the same time as the person they care for if they are accompanying the person they care for to an appointment. This would help to achieve the latest JCVI advice on widespread vaccination, as well as providing earlier reassurance for carers and fewer trips to get vaccinated for each person they care for as well as themselves.

References to the JCVI guidance published on 30 December are as follows:

In the section, Persons with Underlying Conditions, “Other groups at higher risk, including those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, should also be offered vaccination alongside these groups.

Individuals within these risk groups who are clinically extremely vulnerable are discussed separately (see above). Further advice on risk groups, including clear definitions, are set out in the Green Book - Immunisation Against Infectious Disease.”

The updated JCVI priority list states: Priority 6 includes people aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality and refers to footnote 3, which clearly includes unpaid carers. The footnote is published below.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for that. I should be in group 5 anyway as I’m 68 so we’ll see what happens.

Have a good weekend and thanks again. Xxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

It’s a bit of a minefield apparently if the person who is being cared for is getting vaccinated you can ask to be done at the same time. There is flexibility and apparently some carers are receiving it others not. Have a nice weekend Sassy xx

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the info, well received. My Hubby is my Unpaid carer, We both had our Flu Jabs together as we did the year before. I will have my Vaccine at Home being Housebound, I'm level 4, received the Letter Yesterday. I will ask for him to have the Vaccine at the same time as me. He is a Lot Younger than me, Still my Carer regardless. I can't see it being a problem. Fingers Crossed. Have a Good Day, Stay Safe. XXX C.

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

I hope so Hacienda 🤞xx

[CDPO16 in reply to Hacienda]

You were fortunate, Carolina. Having been housebound since coming out of hospital last July, my practice respiratory nurse put my name down for a home visit for the flu vacc but they would not give my husband his at the same time. In the event, he got his at the surgery 1st October last year and I got mine 3 weeks ago at home! No idea what will happen with the covid vacc. I do think that you get excellent NHS care. Hope you are as well as can be, Carole xx

[Ian1967]

Hi saramacg, I’ve just been for my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, my sister who’s also my carer went with me, when we got in the leisure centre to get my vaccine they asked my sister why she wasn’t getting her vaccine at the same time, she hadn’t been informed that she could, they said as long as her GP gave them the go ahead they would give her the vaccine as well, my sister tried to phone the GP, but being Saturday the surgery was closed she is going to phone back on Monday.

My sister is not due to get the vaccine for another month, thank you very much for the heads up.

Ian.

[Hidden in reply to Ian1967]

Hi I’m glad they are going to give her it. Carers UK advice is to ask

[Alberta56]

Thank you for that very useful advice, saramacg. I didn't know it was possible to register as an unpaid carer, but think I qualify as carer for husband with dementia.

[Hidden in reply to Alberta56]

Good morning Alberta , I would phone the doctors surgery and ask xx

[Hacienda in reply to Alberta56]

Morning Hun, I too will be phoning my GP this Morning. My Hubby is a Registered Unpaid carer and always has the Flu Jab along with me. As I will be having my Vaccine at Home, (been confirmed as I am on the Home Inoculation List). I shall make sure he has his also along with me, Hopefully this week. Stay Safe. XXX C.

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

I really hope he gets jab same time as yourself , 🤞There is a certain amount of wastage within a daily/weekly usage so much better if put in the arms of carers if possible. Again it’s down to flexibility. So I have all my fingers and toes crossed for your both. Xx

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

I have Called my GP Surgery, Unfortunately The receptionist Has not got a clue, a) For mine, b) for my Carer, She said they have not as yet organised the List for the Home Visits even though I'm on it. The Mind Boggles. xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

It does indeed! 💕💕

[Alberta56 in reply to Hacienda]

Grrrrr! xxx

[Ian1967]

My sister phoned the GP surgery this morning, they said carers are in group 6, my sister is 66 so is in group 5 anyway, so hopefully she will get her vaccine within the next couple weeks.

Ian.

[Hidden]

That’s bad after what was said to her☹️