Vaccination of unpaid carers

The vaccination programme is now vaccinating people with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers.

Unpaid carers are defined as those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or main carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable. To be eligible, carers must deliver personal care to the individual at risk. This does not include for example, shopping or cleaning.

You do not have to do anything. You will be invited for a vaccination either by your GP or through the COVID-19 Vaccination National Booking Service. Please, don’t contact your GP, wait until you are called directly. 

Please do not be concerned if you are invited for vaccination more than once. For example, if you are registered as a carer with your GP and you receive carer’s allowance, you may receive 2 invitations. Please only book one appointment.

Don’t worry - you will still have the opportunity to be vaccinated. A national system is being developed which will enable you to self-identify as a carer and book a vaccination. Further information on this system will be available in the coming weeks. In the meantime it is very important that you do not contact your GP or local authority directly to request a vaccination.

We will be prioritising vaccination based on risk and therefore those with underlying health conditions or on the shielded patient list (clinically extremely vulnerable) will be vaccinated as a priority.  Please do not be concerned if you are not contacted immediately for vaccination or have to wait a short while to book an appointment.  We remain committed to vaccinating all carers who are eligible in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire as a priority.

Don’t forget, if you want additional support as a carer, or know of someone who does, please contact the relevant Carers Support Organisation. They can be contacted via:

Please note, the Carers Support organisations have no further information on the vaccine programme other than that above.