Informal carers make plea to be prioritised in vaccine programme

Tuesday 09 February 2021

Informal carers have been left feeling "vulnerable" while providing care to loved ones, according to a charity representing them, which is worried that some of the island's unseen community champions are falling through the cracks.

Carers Guernsey is petitioning the States to prioritise informal carers in the vaccination programme so that they can be vaccinated alongside the people they care for.

All frontline Health & Social Care staff and care home workers have been offered a vaccination as part of one of the top two priority cohorts. However, people who informally care for family members and friends do not fit into any of the priority groups.

Carers Guernsey Manager Alysa Martel has set ​set out the case for informal carers to be included in Category 6 of the priority list, alongside those with a ‘higher risk’ due to underlying health conditions. 

“Following the JCVI guidance that carers should be vaccinated alongside their cared-for would​ ​recognise the invaluable contribution that carers make in our community and the role they play in relieving pressure from our care system," she said. 

"It also makes sense for the protection of the people they care for, who may receive the vaccine sooner but will have to continue to isolate until their carer is also vaccinated.” 

Pictured: At yesterday's media briefing, Dr Nicola Brink would not be drawn into talking about "individual groups" and the order of priority they have been given in the vaccination programme, following questions about whether police officers had received the vaccine. 

“These are people, both carer and cared for, who already experience social isolation and are unable to enjoy the same freedom as the rest of the community, even when restrictions are lifted."

A carer, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was a "terrifying" situation to be in. 

"My father is 100 years old next month, lives in his own home, is very frail and has dementia," they said.

"I am his main carer and visit him around eight times a day as well as doing his shopping and taking him to appointments. I find it terrifying that myself and other care staff are going into his home where he is isolating as so vulnerable without having been vaccinated."

Pictured: Health and social care staff have all been offered a vaccination as part of one of the top two priority cohorts. However, people who informally care for family members and friends do not fit into any of the priority cohorts. 

Carers Guernsey are campaigning for the 'high priority' bands to include those providing care for someone who would be vulnerable if the carer were unable to continue caring for them due to falling ill from Covid-19. 

"This may include parents of children with a disability or long-term illness; those caring for someone with complex autism; carers of someone with a mental illness; as well as those caring for adults with a disability or long-term illness or the elderly."