- The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that the first priorities for any COVID-19 vaccination programme should be “the prevention of COVID-19 mortality and the protection of health and social care staff and systems”.

- Unpaid carers under the age of 65 will be prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccine alongside those with underlying health conditions which puts them at risk of the virus. Carers aged 65 and above will be able to access the vaccine earlier under the initial groupings.

- This prioritisation recognises the important role carers play in supporting those they care for and the health and social care system.

- JCVI will continue to monitor vaccine data and approvals and update their advice where necessary.

- Timescales for carers and others to receive the vaccine will become clearer as we know more about vaccine approvals and when supplies will be delivered.

- Scottish Government (SG) will seek to write out to as many carers as possible to inform them of their eligibility for the vaccine but recognise this will not reach everyone who needs it so this will be supplemented by wider public messaging and other forms of communications. They are working with national and local carer organisations as well as condition-specific charities to ensure a coherent approach that reaches as many carers as possible and encourages them to come forward to receive the vaccination.

- There is a Helpline available here. At the moment it is answering enquiries but later in the programme it will be used for booking appointments.

Updated Scottish Government advice for unpaid carers can be found here