Bucks' unpaid carers urged to register for vaccine
It's thought many could be eligible for a jab now
Unpaid carers in Buckinghamshire are being urged to get registered so they can get a coronavirus vaccine.
The council say carers are now being invited for jabs, but many people aren't officially down as carers on GP lists.
Carers fall into group 6 of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list and are now being invited for their vaccinations.
However, some people who are eligible to get a vaccine may not be registered as an unpaid carer.
Or, they may not have been previously identified as a carer by their GP surgery. Some people also may not realise they qualify as unpaid carer.
You are eligible to get a vaccination if:
- You are receiving, or are eligible to receive, a carer's allowance.
- You are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is clinically extremely vulnerable. This includes carers of children who are clinically extremely vulnerable, as per the JCVI definitions.
- You are 16 or 17 and are a carer of an elderly or disabled person who is clinically extremely vulnerable
Eligible carers who have been flagged by their GP and those that receive a Carers Allowance, or are eligible to receive it, will be invited for a vaccination.
They will get a letter from the NHS asking them to arrange a vaccination through the National Booking System.
However, some unpaid carers in Bucks may not be recognised in these ways.
Buckinghamshire Council is working with Carers Bucks to identify any unpaid carers who are not prioritised through the two routes above or are not currently known to either Carers Bucks or the Council.
These people will then be sent letters inviting them to arrange a vaccination through the National Booking System.
If you are not already registered as an unpaid carer, do so online or call 0300 777 2722 for more information.
Approximately 11,000 unpaid carers are already registered with Carers Bucks.
The charity will send out emails or letters to all those under 70 years of age to ask permission to share their information with the NHS, so vaccine invitation letters can then be sent.
Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said:
"If you are an unpaid carer, please make sure you are registered with Carers Bucks. By doing this, you can make sure you don't miss out on your vaccination invitation, which will help to protect both yourself and the person you care for.
"Carers Bucks also offers other kinds of invaluable support to carers and can provide a real lifeline when you need it most. By registering with them, you will be able to access free services including information, emotional support, workshops and training."
More about the coronavirus vaccines
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.