Get a COVID-19 vaccine as a carer

If you are aged over 16 and are the sole or primary carer for an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable, you are now eligible for a vaccine.

Those clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 include:

• children with severe neuro-disabilities
• those who are designated Clinically Extremely vulnerable (CEV), adults who have underlying health conditions
• those who need care because of advanced age

Forms are available on the NHS health board web pages. You need to select your local health board (or the health board where your GP is based). Once you have completed the form you will be invited for your COVID-19 vaccine.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Powys Teaching Health Board

Swansea Bay University Health Board

In deciding which carers should be prioritised for vaccination, there are 3 important factors to consider: 

1) Vulnerability of the person being cared for

The person is:

• is 65 years old and over
• is deemed extremely clinically vulnerable 
• has a defined underlying health condition including mental illness 
• is a child under 16 with complex medical needs/ severe neuro-disabilities 

2) The nature of the care provided

This includes, but is not restricted to helping with:

• eating
• bathing
• shaving
• managing continence
• dressing
• walking

It may include:

• intervening in challenging or risky behaviour
• providing significant levels of support and supervision at home or in the community and where social distancing is not possible

For care provided to children under 16 with complex medical needs/ severe neuro-disabilities, this is beyond the care and support parents ordinarily provide for a child.

It is likely to include tasks like:

• tracheostomy tube care
• airway suction
• repositioning to manage pressure areas and care interventions such as respiratory physiotherapy

It may include intensive personal care such as:

• daily washing and continence care
• managing behaviours that challenge

3) The carer is the sole or primary carer

We recognise that caring for some people may require 2 people to assist with such tasks as:

• positioning
• hoisting
• bathing
• changing

There may be arrangements whereby 2 people evenly divide the caring responsibilities. In such instances, both carers may be considered as the primary carers.

Eligibility for prioritisation is not dependant on receipt of carer’s allowance, membership of a carers’ organisation or being known to social services.  

The local health boards working with their respective Directors of Social Services have ultimate responsibility for identifying unpaid carers. There is a recognition of the need for discretion, but that discretion should be discharged within the parameters set out in this guidance.