Flu jabs : update for carers

Government policy on flu vaccines for carers has changed

In 2005 the Government agreed to include carers in the group of people who are entitled for a free influenza (flu) jab. Carers UK had been campaigning for many years to get free flu jabs for carers and welcomed this decision. The decision recognised that although carers may not be at risk of flu unless they themselves fall into a clinical risk group, they should be considered for vaccination to protect those most at risk should their carer fall ill.

In the latest guidance for doctors published by the Chief Medical Officer, a shortage of the vaccine has led to carers being given a lower priority rating for 2006/07. This vaccine shortage has been caused by difficulties manufacturers have faced in growing one of the strains of the virus needed.

Priority will now be given to certain clinical risk groups and those living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely. Clinical risk groups include all those over 65 years old and people with certain clinical conditions such as serious diseases to the heart, liver, kidneys or respiratory system.

Once these clinical risk groups are considered then carers will be next in line for the vaccine, followed by healthcare professionals and any other groups. The fact that carers remain above health workers in priority listings recognises the important role that the UK’s carers play in supporting elderly and disabled people.

Which carers are now eligible for a flu jab?

In 2005/2006 the definition of carer was:

Those who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. This should be given on an individual basis, at the GP’s discretion.

This has now been changed to:

Those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. This should be given on an individual basis at the GP’s discretion in the context of other clinical risk groups in their practice.

So if you are in this group you should ask your doctor for a flu jab. However if they have large numbers of patients in a higher priority category, they may refuse to give it to you.

What is Carers UK’s position and what have we done?

Carers UK is disappointed that carers will be a lower priority for a flu jab this winter and is concerned that carers and the people they care for might be put at risk as a result.

We have written to the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson expressing our concern about this change. However we said that we understand the reason for the decision that the Government has taken - those at clinical risk must be seen first (this will include many carers). We asked that doctors and nurses be flexible and offer the vaccination to carers where their illness would result in a loss of welfare for the person cared for. We also said that we hoped that the priority of carers would be restored as soon as the supply problems were resolved.