Carers' Guide to the COVID-19 Vaccine
From the latest updates on COVID-19 boosters to what we should expect as unpaid carers.
Can I get a free COVID-19 vaccine as a carer?
Unpaid carers are no longer automatically eligible for a free NHS COVID-19 vaccine.
Across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the COVID-19 vaccine is currently only available free of charge on the NHS for:
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Adults aged 75 years and older
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Residents of care homes for older adults
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Immunosuppressed individuals aged 6 months and above
This is a change from the autumn 2024 programme, which also included adults aged 65 to 74 and all individuals aged 6 months and over in a clinical risk group. If we are a carer but we fall into one of these eligible groups, we can still get the COVID-19 vaccine for free. If we are unsure if we would be eligible, we should contact our GP to check.
For those who are not eligible under the NHS programme, it is still possible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination privately through pharmacies, such as Boots.
How do I get my COVID-19 vaccine?
The NHS have announced that we can no longer book a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine online or by calling NHS 119. However, we can get vaccinated through:
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Our local NHS vaccination service: Some areas may allow bookings directly through our local service.
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Walk-in clinics: Many COVID-19 vaccination sites accept walk-ins, so if you’re eligible, you can get a COVID-19 vaccination without an appointment. You can check which sites are offering COVID-19 vaccination services before visiting.
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Private pharmacies: For those of us who are not eligible under the NHS programme, we can still arrange a vaccination privately at our local pharmacy.
We can visit our local NHS website or give our GP a quick call to find out the latest ways to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
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-19.
Can carers get vaccinated at the same time as the person they care for?
While not official policy, some carers in the 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, it may be worth phoning your surgery or discussing it with our nurse or GP.
If we have not registered as a carer with your GP, simply ask for a Carers Registration Form at reception. This should flag us as the carer for the person we are looking after.
What is the COVID-19 vaccination process?
Depending on your area, the autumn boosters will be rolled out by the NHS. Those of us who are eligible may receive a text message inviting us to come in for a COVID-19 booster or to book an appointment online.
On the day of our vaccination, we may be asked to wait for a 15-minute observation period after receiving the jab (just to make sure there are no negative reactions).
If we are taking the person we care for, we may want to think about what will make that 15-minute wait as easy as possible. That might be snacks or entertainment.
If we need help arranging an appointment or finding alternative care for our cared-for while we get vaccinated, we can contact our local council or a local carers' organisation for further support.
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 our bank details to book our vaccine.
The NHS will never ask
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For bank account details
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Bank card or PINs
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Documentation, such as passports
If we think the person we care for has been the victim of fraud, we can report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
'Which?' magazine has prepared a helpful report on vaccine scams.
For more tips and guidance for staying safe online, we can read this guide.
Other essential vaccination information for carers
Register as an unpaid carer with our GP
Registering our caring role with your GP practice ensures that our record is flagged and makes it easier for us to be identified for future public health measures and support, such as the free flu jab.
Rather than phoning our surgeries at this busy time, most GP practices have a form on their website. To reduce the pressure on our GP surgeries, many of our local carers' centres are available to help too. We can find our local centre using this tool.
Last updated: November 2025