Unpaid carers urged to get Covid-19 jab

Wednesday, 10 March 2021 19:29

Unpaid carers in Wolverhampton are being urged to get their life-saving Covid-19 vaccination.

People who are either entitled to Carers Allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill are currently eligible for the vaccine – and are being urged to come forward and get theirs as soon as they can.

Carers should receive a letter inviting them for the vaccine and they can book their appointment online or by calling 119.

Anyone who is caring for someone but is not in receipt of Carers Allowance or not registered as a carer with their GP should contact the City of Wolverhampton Council's Carer Support Team on 01902 553409 to register as a carer and check if they are currently eligible for the vaccine.

Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Our unpaid carers have done an incredible job throughout the pandemic, providing vital support for their loved ones and friends and keeping them safe from Covid-19.

“I am pleased that they are now eligible for the life-saving jab, and I would urge them to get theirs as soon as they are able to.

"The vaccine is safe and we have seen a wealth of evidence that it offers a very high level of protection against this deadly virus, including how it reduces the chances of people passing it on to others."

In addition to carers, vaccinations are currently available to anyone aged 55 and over and anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, and to frontline health and social care workers.

Latest figures show there were 63 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 7 March. That means 166 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that seven day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. Information about the vaccine can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidvaccine. Further details of the restrictions currently in place, and the answers to frequently asked questions, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.