Unpaid carers in Essex who are aged 16 and over are now eligible to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination.

In a joint appeal, Essex County Council (ECC) and the charity Carers First are urging all unpaid carers who have not yet been invited for an appointment by the NHS to visit the National Booking Service or call 119 to see if they are eligible.

Unpaid carers are now included in the vaccination roll-out within priority cohort 6 and are being called forward for their first dose. ECC has contacted the 14,000 unpaid carers registered with their GP and local authority to notify them of their eligibility.

However, estimates show there may be as many as 150,000 unpaid carers across the county who are unregistered and still meet the criteria. They are encouraged to visit the National Booking Service where they can complete a self-assessment or call 119.

This new group includes:

• The parents or primary carers of children and young people who are disabled and are clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 or have underlying health conditions
• Young carers aged 16+ of people who are elderly or clinically extremely vulnerable or have underlying health conditions
• Carers for someone with severe mental illness

Unpaid carers aged 16 to17 who have not yet been contacted by their GP practice should contact them now and a vaccination will be arranged.

Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: "The prioritisation of unpaid carers for the vaccine is extremely welcome news and will bring a huge sense of relief to many thousands of people across Essex. These people have been under great pressure to carefully manage the risk of the virus to themselves but also to older and vulnerable relatives for the last year.

"By asking them to come forward, we hope to help them access their vaccination as soon as possible. as well as provide them with access to local support systems in the future if they should need it."

Fiona Langridge from Carers First Essex says: "Carers First delivers the Carers Service on behalf of Essex County Council. We know it has been particularly hard for carers during the pandemic, with the extra stress and anxiety that comes with looking after someone and being frightened of bringing the virus into the home. Taking the vaccine is the fastest way to save lives and to eventually get our society back to normal."

For those who don't have access to the internet, or are seeking further advice or assistance, please contact the Carers First Helpline on: 0300 303 1555.