Unpaid Carers Vaccination Programme Update

Thursday, 11 February 2021

Unpaid carers aged 16 to 65 will be prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccine alongside those with underlying health conditions which puts them at risk of the virus. Carers aged 65 and above will be able to access the vaccine earlier under the JCVI initial priority groupings.

Timescales for carers and others to receive the vaccine will become clearer as we know more about vaccine supply and appointment scheduling.

The Scottish Government will seek to write out to as many carers as possible to inform them of their eligibility for the vaccine but we recognise this will not reach everyone who needs it so this will be supplemented by wider public messaging and other forms of communications.

Unpaid carers also includes those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Unpaid carers may wish to keep in touch with their local carer centre for up-to-date information on timings for these vaccinations. Find details of your local carer centre.

At Care Information Scotland's website or for further information, see the NHS Inform coronavirus vaccine web-page

If you have any enquiries about the COVID-19 vaccine, you can contact the Coronavirus Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 (available 8am - 8pm all week).