The coronavirus vaccination programme in Coventry and Warwickshire is inviting carers in Atherstone who are in receipt of DWP Carer's Allowance to book their vaccination through the national booking system now.

For those who are eligible, an appointment for coronavirus vaccine can be booked online via the NHS website or by calling 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm - seven days a week.

Carers will be able to choose to receive the vaccine from the large vaccination centre at Stoneleigh Park, or from two local pharmacies currently offering a vaccination service.

This is the start of the phased roll out of the vaccine to carers and will be expanded to other carers over the coming weeks. Carers will also be contacted by their local practice to be offered a vaccination in due course.

Sarah Raistrick, said: "It's really important that carers who receive carers allowance book their vaccine as soon as they can directly through the national booking service.

"We know that people are really keen to get the vaccine but ask that unless they are asked to, not to contact the NHS about a vaccine. Staff are working incredibly hard to vaccine as many people as possible but this is a marathon not a spirit and we will get to people as soon as we can."

Sonja Woodhouse, CEO, Carers Trust Heart of England: "Despite what has been a challenging time for households across the country, carers have continued to play a vital role in looking after the people they care about - whether collecting groceries and medicine for shielding family members or supporting someone with mental health problems during lockdown.

"We welcome the news that registered carers are now eligible to receive their COVID vaccine and we encourage local carers to have their vaccination to help protect the health and wellbeing of themselves and the people they care for."