Unpaid carers across Manchester are now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine

  • Tuesday 23 March 2021

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Update on the status of unpaid carers eligible for the Covid-19 jab.

  • Carers known to their GP, Manchester City Council and carer support organisations, or who receive Carers Allowance will be contacted automatically by the NHS 
  • Eligible carers not known to services also being urged to come forward so they can be vaccinated 
  • Carers Manchester Contact Point service in place with extended hours to provide advice and support. 
     

Unpaid carers across Manchester are now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine as part of the ongoing vaccination programme. Under priority group six which is currently rolling out, unpaid carers who are the sole or primary carer for someone elderly or with a disability who are at an increased risk and considered clinically vulnerable. 

 Eligible unpaid carers will be identified in four main ways: 

  • If they are registered as an unpaid carer with their GP (known as having a Carers Flag on primary care records) 
  • If they receive, or are entitled to, Carer’s Allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions have shared this information with the vaccination programme 
  • If they are known to Manchester City Council as a carer, and are receiving support following a statutory carers assessment 
  • If they are supported by a local carer support organisation and were contacted about vaccinations recently 
     

Carers falling into one of these four categories don’t need to do anything and will be contacted automatically by the NHS. They will be given information about how they can access the vaccination either at a local vaccination centre, pharmacy or at the mass vaccination centre at the Etihad Campus. Where caring responsibilities are shared, both carers can be classed as primary carers and receive a vaccination. 

Carers who might not be known to health and care services are also being encouraged to come forward as part of the programme. Unpaid carers over the age of 18 who are not already known to services can contact the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by ringing 119 to answer a few questions to determine if they are eligible to book their vaccination appointment. 

People must be over 18 to book using the national booking service and will need to provide their name and date of birth and NHS number. You can find your NHS number easily if you don’t know it at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/  

Carers who have any further questions about getting their vaccination or registering as a carer can contact the recently launched Carers Manchester Contact Point for advice. This is a one stop advice and information helpline for all Manchester carers that can offer support and advice specific to their needs. No question is too big or small and carers can get advice and information on benefits and financial advice, employment advice, rights as a carer and support for parent carers. They can also provide information on local support during the pandemic and advice on the vaccination programme and how to book. 

Carers Manchester Contact Point can be called on 0161 543 8000 or emailed at contactpoint@carersmanchester.org.uk Opening hours have been temporarily extended from 10am - 4pm to 10am - 6pm Monday to Friday to support carers during the roll out of COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing, said: "As a city it's vital that we acknowledge the role of all our carers - including those who are unpaid.  It's absolutely right that our unpaid carers should have the vaccine not only to protect themselves, but also those they support. This is a welcome move and I also urge them to use our new Carers Contact Point service which aims to bring as much help and advice into a single, easily accessible place."

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