Unpaid carers are now being invited to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine. But they must wait to be contacted by the NHS.

If you are the sole primary carer who provides close personal care or face to face support to an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 (including children over the age of 12 with severe neuro disabilities) you are eligible for the vaccine.

Carers in most cases should meet these criteria:

• Eligible for a carer’s allowance
• Identified as a primary carer by their GP
• Receiving support following a carer’s assessment by their local council or from a local carer’s organisation.

Those who are identified as a primary carers on their GP’s register or eligible for a carer’s allowance will be invited first. Followed by those who have had a statutory carer’s assessment by their local council or are receiving support from a local carers organisation.

Councillor Binda Rai, cabinet member for public health and adult social care said:

“All eligible unpaid carers will be contacted by the NHS when it’s their turn to receive the vaccine. This is a phased approach, starting with those carers already known to health and social care services in Ealing.

“When these carers are contacted, they will be given information on how they should book their appointment and it’s important that they take up the offer to be vaccinated so they can protect themselves and the people they care for.”

What unpaid carers need to do:

Wait to be contacted. When you are contacted by the NHS about your vaccine, book an appointment as soon as possible. This will either be at a vaccination site in your local community supported by your GP practice, or at a large vaccination centre.

Take steps to arrange alternative support for the person you are caring for while you are at your vaccination appointment. If you need help to arrange this, contact Ealing Council on 020 8825 8000 or Ealing Carers centre on 0203 137 6194.

When you go and get your vaccine, take along with you the confirmation of your appointment, photo ID to prove your identity, and your NHS number if you have it. You do not need to provide proof that you are a carer.

Unpaid carers aged 18 and over

Unpaid carers over the age of 18 who are not already known to health and care services can contact the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or ring 119 to complete a short application process to determine if they are eligible to book their vaccination appointment.

You must be over 18 to book using the national booking service and you will need to provide your name, date of birth and your NHS number.

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine

By getting vaccinated unpaid carers can help protect themselves from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, and this will help to ensure that they can continue to be there for their family, friends, and the people they care for.

If you require advice or information to support you in your caring role please contact Ealing Carers Centre on 0203 137 6194 or visit the website