As advised by the UK Government availability of the vaccine for a 1st dose is very limited during April and will vary week-by-week. Consequently availability of appointments will be limited and may change on a day-to-day basis. However unpaid carers can continue to receive their vaccine through one of two mechanisms:
The National Booking System (NBS). Unpaid carers are encouraged to check the NBS availability regularly. There will be limited availability and this will vary day to day (Availability at JobServe Community Stadium Vaccination Centre, Colchester will be created weekly) https://covid.shiftpartner.com.
Contacting your GP directly. If your GP is not offering the vaccine they have arrangements in place to ensure you receive the vaccine from a local Primary Care Network.
Due to the limited supply proof of eligibility will be required when attending an appointment at a Community Pharmacy or Vaccination Site. Vaccination is not possible without this proof of eligibility. Self-certification is no longer an option for unpaid Carers.
If you are an eligible carer aged 16-64 years and registered with Suffolk Family Carers you will be contacted by directly. If you are not registered with Suffolk Family Carers, and feel you might be eligible for a vaccination as an unpaid carer, please register below
If you live in Suffolk or north east Essex and need help to book an appointment, once eligibility has been confirmed, you can ring 0344 2573 961 (open 10am to 4pm, local rate).
Vaccine supplies for first doses are expected to increase later this month however, there is currently no confirmed date for this. We will update this information once stocks have returned to normal.
If you live in the Norfolk and Waveney CCG regions please see our Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
For maximum protection two doses of the vaccine are required. It’s really important that you have the same vaccine for your second dose as you had for your first.
If you had your first dose at one of the large AstraZeneca vaccination sites, booking through Shift Partner
Book your second dose of vaccine via the national booking system or again through your Shift Partner account. Please select the vaccination centre where you received your first dose.
If you have had your first dose at one these sites but are unable to book your second dose through the national booking system, please let contact epunft.cv19.staffvaccinations@nhs.net
Please do not worry if your record on Shift Partner does not show that you have had your first dose of vaccine; this is separate to your vaccination record.
If you had your first dose at Colchester or Ipswich hospitals
If you booked your first dose after registering online, you will have been sent an email the day after your first appointment asking you to book your second appointment 11-12 weeks later. If you attended Colchester or Ipswich hospital as a “walk in” without prior booking, you will need to register at covac.esneft.nhs.uk in order for your second vaccination to be organised. Please email stafftesting@esneft.nhs.uk if you have any issues registering or any queries around the vaccination process.
Vaccinations at any other locations
If you had your appointment in a community location such as a GP surgery, Pharmacy or community centre the provider of that service will make arrangements for your second appointment and will be in contact separately. If you have not been contacted, please contact them directly.
The current definition of Family Carers that are eligible for the vaccine is as follows. This guidance has been developed nationally and is the same in all counties.
- Those who are eligible for carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable.
- Those clinically vulnerable to COVID include children with severe neuro-disabilities, those who are designated Clinically Extremely vulnerable (CEV), adults who have underlying health conditions (as defined in table 3 ), and those who need care because of advanced age. This group is being vaccinate in in priority group 6.
If you are between 16 & 18 you are eligible for a vaccine. Please follow the guidance given in our FAQ for under 18’s
Carers can call 119 if they are unable to book an appointment online
If you are unsure if your GP has recognised you as a Family Carer we recommend you register with Suffolk Family Carers. We are co-ordinating the rollout of the vaccine for Family Carers which maybe unknown to either GP’s or Suffolk County Council.
The vaccination process for Family Carers living in the Norfolk & Waveney CCG region is being co-ordinated through Norfolk County Council.
You can make your Individual Carer Vaccination Request directly with the Norfolk team using this link. https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/carervax
If you are between 16 and 18 and an eligible carer you can have a vaccine. Due to your age the process for registering is different
If you have not yet been contacted by your GP practice please contact them now and they will arrange a vaccination for you.
Your personalised invitation may come from one, or more of the following places.
- If you are known as a Family Carer to your GP or in receipt of carers allowance your invitation will be sent by the national scheme.
- If you are registered as a Family Carer with Suffolk County Council your invitation will be sent by them
- If you are registered with Suffolk Family Carers and have consented to us sharing your information your invitation will come from Suffolk County Council.
- If you are registered with Suffolk Family Carers and have not consented to us sharing your information your invitation will come from Suffolk Family Carers.
- If you live in Waveney details of your how you will receive a booking invitation is outlined above.
You may receive multiple invitations if you are registered as a Family Carer with multiple organisations. Should this be the case please ensure you only book your appointment once.
If you have not received an invitation you may also contact the National Booking Service
A national scheme provide access to local vaccination centres.
The local scheme is providing vaccination at the mass vaccination sites in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.
You are expected to receive your second vaccination at the same site as the first so please bare this in mind when booking your appointment.
You should follow the information provided in the invitation carefully. The link provided in the invitation will allow you to book the appointment.
Please select “Suffolk and North East Essex – Unpaid/Informal carer” when entering details of the organisation offering you the vaccine. If you select any other organisation you may not be offered local vaccination sites”. (Organisations are in alphabetical order)
If you would like help following the information provided by the invitation please contact Suffolk Family Carers via our live chat facility or call us on 01473 835477 and we will be happy to help.
You do not need to confirm to the sender that your invitation has been received.
The information required to book your appointment can be found on the last page of the letter you received in the post or via email.
Yes. You are required to receive your first and second injections at the same vaccination site.
Yes. Your invitation to book a vaccination appointment is personalised and you will be required to show ID when attending the vaccination centre.
We recommend that all carers register with Suffolk Family Carers to ensure all Family Carers are recognised.
This could be for one of the following reasons
- The invitation is being sent by Royal Mail. It should arrive in the next few days.
- The person has not identified themselves as caring for somebody with an eligible condition.
- The person you share caring with has not consented for Suffolk Family Carers to contact them via either email or post. We are obliged to respect these wishes even for the vaccine. If you are unsure of the preferences you provided when registering you can update us at any time
Yes.
Your NHS number is 10 digits long and can be found on any prescription, repeat prescription form or letter from the NHS. If you cannot find one of these documents the NHS have created a dedicated website to help you find it.
Getting yourself vaccinated with one of the COVID-19 vaccinations is the safest way to protect you from coronavirus. The roll out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been paused in 11 European countries. It is because a very small number of blood clots were reported among people who had recently had the jab. The World Health Organization said there is no evidence to suggest that the clots were connected to the vaccine and is investigating. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which regulates medicines in the UK, has also confirmed it is safe to give to people.
Further information can be found on the Suffolk and North East Essex COVID-19 Vaccination Service
The UK Government has also provided a comprehensive statement
Parents of children with severe neuro-disabilities are eligible for the vaccine. Please register with Suffolk Family Carers.
Suffolk Family Carers is working with the local NHS to ensure Family Carers who do not meet the national criteria can be vaccinated as soon as possible. We will be contacting registered Family Carers with more details soon.
Suffolk Family Carers is the primary provider of services for Family Carers in Suffolk. We are able to provide you with Information Advice and Guidance, Emotional Support, Help getting a break from your caring role and much more. Visit our home page for more details
We are also co-ordinating the vaccination programme for Family Carers who may not be known to their GP or Suffolk County Council. By registering with us you will, if eligible be sent details of how to book an appointment.
We recommend you use our online registration form, providing as much information as possible. We will ensure that if eligible you are sent an invitation to book an appointment as soon as possible.
If you are unable to register online please call us on 01473 835477 and one of our friendly staff will be pleased to help you.
