Carers next in line for Covid-19 jab in Nottinghamshire

Carers are next in line for the vaccine.

As part of the rollout of the national vaccination programme, Nottinghamshire County Council will be contacting members of the next priority group, which includes carers.

For the purpose of the vaccination programme, carers are people who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of Covid-19 mortality which makes them clinically vulnerable.

This will help support carers to protect those they care for as well as themselves.

People who fall into this category may receive a letter with further information and details of how to book their vaccination.

If they are eligible, they do not need to wait for their letter to book in.

Jonathan Gribbin, director of public health for Nottinghamshire, said: “I’m really pleased that the vaccination programme has successfully reached the first four priority groups and the vast majority of these people, who are our older and clinically extremely vulnerable residents, have had their vaccination.

"Now our NHS partners are starting to vaccinate people in the next priority groups.

"This includes carers who work so hard to keep the people they look after safe and well.”

Nottingham City Council's director for public health, Alison Challenger, said: “It’s great to see the vaccination rollout continuing at pace, with more than 90 per cent of people aged over 70 already receiving their jab in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“It means the NHS locally has now been able to open up bookings for the next cohort, which includes carers.”

Carers in Nottinghamshire can register with the Nottinghamshire Carers Hub by calling or 0115 824 8824 or emailing [email protected] which provides free, confidential and personalised information, advice and support for carers of all ages including telephone and online support.

So far, 93 per cent of people aged 80 and above have been vaccinated, 99 per cent of those aged 75 to 79 have been vaccinated and 90 per cent of those aged between 70 and 74 have had their vaccinations.