Do temporary carers get free flu jab?

dllive

Hi,
Im currently caring for my elderly mother. Im not a permanent carer, just looking after her while shes recovering from an operation.
Would I be entitled to free flu/covid jab? If so what proof would I need to give?
Thanks

Flugelhorn

at the practice I worked at we took people's word for it if they said they were a carer, it got coded and they got called for  whatever imms were appropriate. Whether the coding needs to be before the campaign starts for you to get called I am not sure - have a word with your practice

KxMx

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/book-flu-vaccination/

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

You can get them done via pharmacy. As a carer you qualify for free jabs. 
No proof needed, I have a neurological condition and all the pharmacist ever asks is which box I tick. 

Newcad

If you use the online covid booking it does ask why you think you qualify for a covid jab - health, carer, etc.

But AFAIK no checks are made an they will take your word and book you in anyway if you say that you do qualify.

I guess that not many will try to cheat the system. and unless they do get thousands/millions trying then they will trust you to know if you personally, or someone that you care for, are at risk or not. Even if you only think you/they may be at risk than that's enough.

Plus even if they do vaccinate some who don't strictly need it then so what, it will be neglible in terms of overall costs.

PS, I didn't book a flu jab seperately. I just asked the person doing my covid jab, they had both there on the table and did one in each arm.

dllive

Thanks so much guys. I have been thinking about what proof I could give. Having my mum sign a statement was about as good as I came up with! So its good to know that theyll likely take my word for it.

Thanks again.

Spoonie_Turtle

Yeah, it's not like when we had only the first vaccine and an extremely limited supply, thank goodness!

Edit: whoops, I was thinking of covid vaccines, which was not the subject of the thread - sorry!

marcia_

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Yeah, it's not like when we had only the first vaccine and an extremely limited supply, thank goodness!

 According to my GP there is a shortage of flu vaccines. My hubby was meant to get one as a carer but was told he couldn't as they we're saving supplies for those 65+ 

KxMx

What you were told isn't quite correct - there are two types of flu vaccine, one for under 65's and one for over 65's. There are evidence based medical reasons why the groups receive a different vaccine.

See Key Vaccine Facts & More Information about 

https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/flu-vaccine#Who-should-have-the-vaccine

So if hubby is under 65 then it may actually be the case that the GP currently only have supply suitable for those 65+.
He could always try local pharmacies to find any availability for an under 65's dose. 

Spoonie_Turtle

^ I've just realised I was thinking of covid vaccines not flu, so my post above was irrelevant, sorry!

Cyclamen

There is no official register for unpaid carers.

Let your GP surgery know.. you can often do this by an online form on their website or dropping a letter in. This sint essential but makes it easier. 

If you go for flu jab at chemists.. superdrug and an independent here do walk in you sign a declaration saying you are a carer.

They do do checks.. just like with free prescriptions being checked for eligibility they can and do check a sample of free flu jab requests.  But please don't let that stop you.  If you are providing support you are indeed a carer and entitled. 

I have paid carers as well as unpaid (husband) and we all go for our Flu jabs.. i've provided letters, payslips, ID badge to my employed team but apart from the very start of covid they have never been asked to proove they are carers.  My husband has always been registered as 'carer' at the doctors so he gets called for flu/ covid vaccines anyway.. but can just walk in and tick the box on the form 

born_again

marcia_ said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Yeah, it's not like when we had only the first vaccine and an extremely limited supply, thank goodness!

 According to my GP there is a shortage of flu vaccines. My hubby was meant to get one as a carer but was told he couldn't as they we're saving supplies for those 65+ 

What age is he?
As both me (carer) & Mrs are both under 65 & we were told that there are different vaccines for under & over 65. Which was also born out when going for them as they had to different routes depending on under or over to stop any mix up.