Carers' Guide to the Covid-19 Vaccine
From the latest updates on autumn Covid boosters to what we should expect as unpaid carers.
Autumn 2023 Covid boosters for unpaid carers
How can I book my Covid booster as an unpaid carer?
Those who are eligible for the next round of Covid boosters this Autumn includes those:
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Living in a care home
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65 years old or over
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Who are 6 months to 64 years old and are in a clinical risk group
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Who are 12 to 64 years old and living with someone with immunosuppression
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Who are 16 to 64 years old and who are carers
The boosters started rolling out on 11th September 2023 for those most at-risk, before the NHS inviting everyone else from 18th September 2023.
If we've not heard from anyone regarding a Covid booster, we can find any walk-in vaccination site near us. Or simply book a Covid booster online through the NHS. All Covid boosters for Autumn are expected to be completed by December 2023.
Clinical risk groups include those with:
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Chronic respiratory disease
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Chronic heart disease and vascular disease
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Chronic kidney disease
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Chronic liver disease
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Chronic neurological disease
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Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders
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Immunosuppression
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Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
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Morbid obesity
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Severe mental illness (that causes severe functional impairment i.e. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder)
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Younger adults in long-stay nursing and residential care settings
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Pregnancy
How do I get my Covid-19 vaccine?
Register as an unpaid carer with our GP
Rather than phoning our surgeries at this busy time, most GP practices have a form on their website, or you can do so using the e-consult form.
To reduce the pressure on our GP surgeries, many of our local carers' centre are available to help too. We can find our local centre, using this tool.
Visit a walk-in vaccination site
If we are looking to get our Covid-19 vaccine we can do so Covid-19 booster at vaccination sites.
Book a Covid-19 vaccine online
If we're unable to visit a walk-in vaccination site, we also have the option to book our Covid-19 vaccine.
Ask our surgery if we can be vaccinated at the same time as the person we look after
Some GPs are offering this on a discretionary basis.
Rollout by area
The vaccination rollout is a fast moving beast and news with regards to carers can sometimes feel muddled and changing.
We are updating this page daily with vaccination updates for carers on a regional basis.
If you can't see your region, and have some info to share, please email us at suzanne@mobiliseonline.co.uk
Click on your country, and then by region.
England
Covid-19 'deployment programme' for unpaid carers in England.
Covid-19 vaccination rollout by region:
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Camden - advice is to register with our GP
This list is growing daily. If you can't see your region yet and have something to share, please email
Scotland
Click for the latest Covid-19 vaccine advice in Scotland.
We would like to grow this list, to account for any differences between counties. If you have knowledge to share, please let us know by emailing suzanne@mobiliseonline.co.uk
Wales
Click for the latest Covid-19 vaccine advice in Wales.
We would like to grow this list, to account for any differences between counties. If you have knowledge to share, please let us know by emailing suzanne@mobiliseonline.co.uk
Northern Ireland
Click for the latest Covid-19 vaccine advice in Northern Ireland.
We would like to grow this list, to account for any differences between counties. If you have knowledge to share, please let us know by emailing suzanne@mobiliseonline.co.uk
Should I get the Covid-19 vaccination?
By now, many of us may have already have the Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters. But for those who are still considering it, doctors and scientists have confirmed the vaccine as safe.
It doesn’t inject the actual live Covid-19 virus, instead it gives our bodies the tools to defend against the virus. Find out more about the ingredients for each vaccine here.
"People with allergies and with pre-existing medical conditions, as well as those who are pregnant should always consult a doctor prior to being vaccinated."
When making our decision, we should consider the implications for both ourselves and the person we care for, if we were to become poorly from Covid.
Can carers get vaccinated at the same time as the person they care for?
While not official policy, some carers in our community have reported that some GP surgeries are allowing the carer to be vaccinated at the same time as the person they care for.
This appears to be a discretionary decision and may involve consideration of other factors including the carer’s age and health. If this would help you, it may be worth phoning your surgery or discussing with your nurse or GP.
If you have not registered as a carer with your GP, simply ask for a Carers Registration Form at reception. This should flag you as the carer for the person you are looking after.
What is the Covid-19 booster process?
Depending on your area, the autumn boosters will be rolled out by the NHS. You may receive a text message inviting you to come in for a Covid-19 booster or to book an appointment online.
Another option is that you can simply find a walk-in clinic near you.
On the day of your vaccination, you may be asked to wait for a 15-minute observation period after receiving your jab (just to make sure there are no negative reactions).
If you're taking the person you care for with you, you may want to think about what will make that 15-minute wait as easy as possible for you both. That might be snacks or entertainment.
For anyone supporting a person with a learning disability or dementia, this simple vaccine guide from Mencap may be helpful.
Be scam aware
Covid-19 vaccination timetable by country?
Unfortunately there are some convincing vaccination scams doing the rounds. The image supplied is from one of the scams, to demonstrate how convincing they are.
The scam emails and text messages often send us to a fake NHS website and ask for bank details to book our vaccine.
The Covid-19 vaccination is free of charge.
The NHS will never ask
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For bank account details
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Bank card or pin numbers
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Documentation such as passports
If we think we or the person we care for have been the victim of fraud, we can report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Which magazine have prepared a helpful report on vaccine scams.
Last updated: September 2023
