UNPAID carers are now being prioritised for Covid-19 vaccinations, following a successful campaign.

New Covid-19 vaccination advice issued at the beginning of January moved unpaid carers on to the list of priority groups.

Mayor of Workington Janet King was a vocal supporter of the campaign to see unofficial carers vaccinated.

Councillor King has a personal perspective on the matter, having cared for her elderly father and her husband, deputy mayor David King at the end of their lives.

She said: “I used to care for my father. He was 98 when he died so he had a lot of physical issues.

“And again with my husband, I was caring for him all the way through lockdown. That was before the vaccination.”

She added that caring for a loved one during the pandemic could take a toll on unpaid carers’ mental health.

“I was ultra-cautious. If they’ve got hospital visits you’ve got the added risk that you pick something up. We used to have to go twice a week. The staff were amazing.”

Unpaid carers have now been moved to group six of nine on the list of priority for Covid-19 vaccines.

Mike Seaton, from Carers Support Cumbria and Carer Support South Lakes said: “We know there are over 70,000 carers in Cumbria, and rising, including young carers, who provide vital care and support to thousands of vulnerable and ill people.

Mr Seaton said: “If carers get ill then health and social care services are placed under even more pressure putting an increased burden on the finite resources available to deal with the current pandemic.”

The appeal to see unpaid carers vaccinated as a priority was first launched by Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party who has been a carer for much of his life.

At the beginning of the campaign, Liberal Democrat councillor for Cockermouth, Rebecca Hanson said: “Local authorities should be supported to develop systems whereby they can assess and recommend carers for early vaccination in cases where there is a clear need.”

The West Cumbria Carers charity, of which Cllr King is a passionate supporter, is available to help unpaid carers in Allerdale and Copeland.

The charity is offering support to carers around the clock on Carer-Connect, its social space with professional services built in. To find out more email: carerconnect@cssl.or or visit carer-connect.org