We know that many unpaid carers are concerned about how and when they will get access to the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that unpaid carers aged 16 plus will get priority access to the Covid-19 vaccine. National Carer Organisations have produced a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for unpaid carers to explain what we know currently:
Carers aged 16 to 65 are in priority group 6. The Scottish Government will write to them with details of how to book their appointment. Carers aged 65 plus will be prioritised on the basis of their age (priority groups 2 to 5) and will be contacted by the NHS regarding vaccinations.
Carers will be identified in a variety of ways including via local carers centres such as Carers of East Lothian (CoEL). Please do not contact your GP surgery about accessing the Covid-19 vaccine unless they contact you first or you receive a letter from the Scottish Government or the NHS instructing you to do so.
If you are an unpaid carer living in East Lothian, please make sure we have your up-to-date contact details. You can call us on 0131 665 0135 or email us at centre@coel.org.uk to make sure you are registered on our database.
Further information on unpaid carers and the COVID-19 vaccination is available on the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 advice for unpaid carers webpage.
You can also call the Coronavirus Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 (available 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week). Please note it is not possible to book or change vaccination appointments via the helpline.
