CARERS in Warwickshire can now get a Covid-19 vaccination.
The NHS in Coventry and Warwickshire is calling for carers who receive the Carers Allowance to book their Coronavirus vaccination.
People who are registered as carers with their GP will be called for a vaccination by their local GP-led vaccination centre.
Nigel Minns, Warwickshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “The Covid-19 vaccination offer is now moving at pace and as such, is now offering the vaccination to people who are in receipt of carers allowance and those who are registered with their GP as a carer.
“We want to ensure the rollout of the vaccination offer to carers in Warwickshire is carried out as efficiently and effectively as possible and to ensure the phased approach is well managed.
“This is why at this stage we are only calling for anyone in receipt of a DWP Carers Allowance to come forward to book your vaccine. Please be assured that if you are a carer eligible for the vaccine you will also be notified in the coming weeks of arrangements for you to book your vaccine.”
Dr Sarah Raistrick, the Chair of Coventry and Rugby NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said it was important for carers who receive the Carers Allowance to book their vaccine as soon as they can directly through the national booking service.
She said: “We know that people are really keen to get the vaccine but ask that unless they are asked to, not to contact the NHS about a vaccine.
“Staff are working incredibly hard to vaccine as many people as possible but this is a marathon not a sprint and we will get to people as soon as we can.”
Sonja Woodhouse, CEO of the Carers Trust Heart of England said carers had continued to play a vital role in looking after the people they care about despite the pandemic.
She said: “We welcome the news that registered carers are now eligible to receive their Covid-19 vaccine and we encourage local carers to have their vaccination to help protect the health and wellbeing of themselves and the people they care for.”
Eligible carers can book their vaccination via the national booking website at https://tinyurl.com/49j7fb87 or by calling 119 free of charge, 7am-11pm, seven days a week.
Visit https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility to check if you are eligible for Carers Allowance.
Anyone who does provide a caring responsibility for a friend, neighbour or family members is reminded that they can register their caring status with the Carers Trust (Heart of England) or with their GP. Visit https://tinyurl.com/u6v7sebt to register with Carers Trust.
Young carers under the age of 18 can access support with Warwickshire Young Carers. Visit https://tinyurl.com/4ww49udk for more information.
