Register for jab if you are carer for someone

People aged 16 to 64 in the Forth Valley area who provide vital face-to-face care and support for others, and have not already had their first vaccine dose or appointment letter, are being invited to register for their Covid-19 vaccination.

A national self-registration service has been launched this week to enable people aged 16 and over to check their eligibility and register, online at nhsinform.scot/carersregister or by calling the national Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Carers who receive relevant benefits should have already received a letter with details of their appointment but all eligible unpaid carers are being encouraged to self-register.

There are an estimated 700,000 people in Scotland who care for a friend, family member or neighbour affected by a disability, physical or mental ill health, frailty or a substance misuse.

Many of these people may not realise they are eligible to receive the vaccine now as part of group 6 on the Joint

Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list.

The care they provide could be anything from domestic tasks such as regularly helping with the shopping, picking up prescriptions or preparing meals, to personal care such as helping them to wash and dress.

It could also be emotional support to someone such as a partner, friend or family member with a long-term health condition.

Jillian Taylor, Operational Lead for

NHS Forth Valley’s Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said:“You may not consider yourself a carer, but if you provide vital face-to-face care to anyone, be it family, friend or neighbour, then you could be eligible to receive the vaccine now.

Getting the vaccine reduces your risk of COVID and supports you to keep well and in turn, ensure those you care for are safe.”