What priority group for vaccination am I in if I have asthma?

[ALUK_Nurses]

We know there has been confusion about when people with asthma will get the COVID-19 vaccine and what priority group they will fall into.

The information we previously shared about priority group six has changed. At the time it was based on communication with the Department of Health and Social Care who advised that the people included in group six would be those who are offered an annual free flu vaccine. The roll out of vaccine policy has been rapid, things have changed fast, and we have been urging the government to provide clarity, as we know it’s a worrying time for people with asthma. We now have an update.

If you’ve received a letter saying that you’re advised to shield and you’re aged under 70, you are clinically extremely vulnerable and are in priority group 4 for the COVID-19 vaccine. This means you’ll get your vaccine at the same time as those aged 70-74. If you have severe asthma, you might be included in this group, but only if you have received a letter from the government stating that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable.

For everyone else with asthma, some will be in priority group 6, depending on what medications they take and how well controlled their asthma is. But there is still work to be done to identify who exactly will be in this group. What this means is that some people under 50 with asthma will be offered the COVID vaccine after the initial nine priority groups, as the purpose of the first stage of vaccination is to prevent deaths from COVID-19.

We are continuing to work closely with the government to make sure everyone with asthma is supported and is vaccinated at the right time. Identifying who should be in group 6 is a complicated process because of the variation in medication people with asthma take, which is why it’s taking some time. However, we are urgently calling on them to provide this information.

We understand this is a worrying time for a lot of people, but we want to reassure you that the government intends to offer the vaccine to all adults, so even if you aren’t in a priority group you will get the vaccine later this year.

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[Hidden]

Thank you for all your work behind the scenes... hopefully there will be clarity for us soon, as none of this seems right! Why they can't just keep it as it was with anyone entitled to a flu jab being in one of the priority groups is beyond me! Thank you again for the updated information and for your work behind the scenes x

[twinkly29]

Another thank you for everything you guys are doing. It must be very frustrating waiting for responses from those you're seeking information from.

[taperoo]

Thanks for seeking answers on this, I hope you've asked the Government to provide the evidence for why they are changing which asthmatics are in groups 4 & 6 and who are not. That's the kind of clarity that's needed to put people's minds at ease. All I've seen in the various medical journals is that Asthmatics might be at lower risk of serious illness/death from COVID-19. There has so far been no confirmation either way.

[SteK78]

Can only imagine you must be as frustrated as everyone else will be

Why can't they just keep it simple and say if you have asthma and get the flu jab then you're in group 6 and make it striaghtforward so people know where they are?

It's ok for the govbernment to say everyone will have had the vaccine before autumn (just in time for the flu jabs to start soon after!!!) but that's little consolation to those of us who thought we'd be in group 6 in phase one and now seem to be a group of people that can be conveniently punted lower and lower down the order as suits, especially with the pressure being brought to vaccinate teachers, police, bus and taxi drivers and other frontline staff ahead of everyone else after phase 1 is done which will undoubtedly put them at the head of the queue

Also no mention of the long term covid studies which seem to indicate that asthma sufferers amy be worse off, especially if their asthma is triggered by the cold which should also play a part into putting us into group 6 at least

[Kitty2823]

Thank. Waiting for your answer

[KLNT]

I know this is largely out of your hands, but I do not find this update gives any further information than we had before, I feel we are being left high and dry. There still appears to be a serious postcode lottery as to how the guidance for the priority groups is being applied, leaving many of us out in the cold. This whole situation is deeply unhelpful particularly for those who suffer a chronic lung condition which can be significantly exacerbated by stress....not to mention the significant exacerbations due to respiratory infections.....the whole thing feels like a viscous circle that is likely having a hugely negative impact on our Asthma and overall health!

[Loulou9000]

Thank you for the update , it is heartening you are no longer insisting on the official line, that there are only two severities of Asthma. The highly at risk group and the rest of us. That really was ridiculous and I am still interested to see the data behind that statement.

Interestingly AsthmaUK, you say you continue working with the government, but how much are you fighting our corner? I have not heard anything on any media outlet about this scandal? Maybe for the sake of the people you represent this should be considered? I’ve seen reports of the plight of cancer victim’s groups, MND and even yesterday Lupus uk on national TV, but not a word from AsthmaUK raising awareness and concern of this Russian roulette attempt to remove a large number of asthmatics from the vulnerable groups!

[ALUK_Nurses Partner Administrator ALUK Asthma Nurse in reply to Loulou9000]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Our Policy team are working hard to make sure that the voices of people with asthma are represented, we will pass on your feedback about media to them.

Asthma is a complex condition and people who have it take lots of different combinations of medication. This can make it difficult to establish who falls into the group of difficult to control asthma. This is why we want the government to cast its net wide when making decisions about definitions to ensure that people with asthma who are at risk won’t be missed.

We’re waiting on the government to provide confirmation on who exactly will be in priority group six. We want to see more clarity on this and good guidance for GPs so they can identify people.

[Loulou9000 in reply to ALUK_Nurses]

Thank you AsthmaUK for listening and responding.

I have spoken to my Dr and Asthma nurse today and have reached a very satisfactory conclusion for me. I have had my salbutamol reinstated and they have assured me I am on their group 6 list for vaccination.

Sadly Asthma care does seem to vary across the postcodes. Although my medical centre has responded to my concerns, I am very aware that is no comfort for everybody. Please keep fighting for every Asthma suffer on this matter.

I would greatly recommend those worried like I was to contact your GP or consultant they are the ones who can inform you personally, because they have your history in front of them.

[Polly44 in reply to ALUK_Nurses]

Hi have u got any idea what group my partner would be his 52 and asthmatic (not servere asthmatic tho) so would he be in group 6 or 9 ? very confusing .

[ALUK_Nurses Partner Administrator ALUK Asthma Nurse in reply to Polly44]

Hi Polly 44, for asthma category 6 is:

• Anyone with a diagnosis of asthma who has ever been admitted to hospital with asthma, OR

• Anyone who has ever been prescribed 3 OCS prescriptions in 3 months

[Polly44 in reply to ALUK_Nurses]

ok Thanks, so Im thinking based on them he will be 9 then . He is not servere asthmatic more mild asthma , when he moved away from central london and all the traffic etc his asthma got alot better, and he does not even take his steriod inhaler for the last few yrs, He only needs his ventolin in the winter or if runs for a bus or train. He has been diagnosed yrs ago with it but don't think he ever got admitted to hospital tho..

[Lampeter1995 in reply to ALUK_Nurses]

Does the hospital admission really mean “ever”... I had a few admissions a while ago now but my GP says he doesn’t know what criteria is being used to allocate someone into Group 6 despite my understanding that I hit the criteria

[ALUK_Nurses Partner Administrator ALUK Asthma Nurse in reply to Lampeter1995]

Hi that is the exact wording JCVI sent to all GP's at the weekend

[Lampeter1995 in reply to ALUK_Nurses]

Thanks for the clarification

[Thomas45]

Thanks for all your work. As you will know the Joint Committee on Vaccination and immunisation is the independent body of experts who advise government on the priority groups for vaccination. That body makes it quite clear that age rather than illness is used to determine the order at which Vaccination takes place.We know that asthmatics, generally, are at no greater risk than non-asthmatics, if they catch Covid 19. That is good news.

There are three groups who will be vaccinated before their age would determine. The first group are medical and nursing staff and those employed in care homes

There are in national group 1. Then there are the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, in relation to Covid 19, in national group 4, and the Clinically Vulnerable in relation to Covid 19 in national group 6.

So in my case it was not chronic asthma, Permanent Atrial Fibrillation, a benign prostate problem, chronic urticaria, lymphoedema, and foot drop, which determined I should be in national group 3, but my age. The determining factor of a friend who has Type 1 diabetes, which is not well controlled since she was put on carb counting, was not her illness but her age.

If asthmatics are of no greater risk than others, generally then they cannot be said to be Extremely Vulnerable, although we know from this forum of a few people who have serious asthma which requires a lot of hospital treatment, and they should be in group 4 as I understand it.

But I see the dilemma for the rest, especially if their asthma is uncontrolled.

[Ts777]

I agree Lou Lou. My problem is that this is now political. Boris and his pals need to get some voter confidence going and the vaccination program is the way for them to do it.

Large numbers of vulnerable people needing a vaccine now adds logistical difficulties so they want to reduce the numbers. I think it’s a numbers game.

I’d feel better if someone came out and stated the obvious. I think for me, the uncertainty and frustration of the government stating stupid facts is what’s winding me up.

[Thomas45 in reply to Ts777]

Are you saying that the JCVI is not independent? They determine who falls into which category, not be government. I suggest you read their reports on Covid 19. Age is the most important determinant factor, not your illness.

[Wanttobehapppy in reply to Thomas45]

Illness before age in my case

[Freddy1973]

My son is asthmatic since three years of age.He is now forty seven and has taken ventolin inhaler for years.He has been prescribed various steroid inhalers but can not use them(side effects).Does anyone know what group he is in for the vaccination?

[twinkly29 in reply to Freddy1973]

I would imagine just his age group (so under 50s) as he's only on ventolin. There are other options for the few who can't take steroid inhalers but presumably his GP hasn't put him on other medication - so unless the GP chooses otherwise, I would guess he'll be in his age group. He could always phone and ask.

[Freddy1973 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you twinkly29 for your answer.

[Hidden]

Has anyone seen the update on social media from Asthma UK? Looks like I’m missing out on being in group 6 by one month!!! Fuming to say the least! As Asthma UK said it was 3 courses of Pred in 3 months, I had 3 in a 4 month period, so really not happy with this! It seems like we have definitely been forgotten about in all this as per all decisions that have need made, having to work in front line roles, no support and now no vaccination before healthy people is beyond belief! Really hoping Asthma Uk are continuing to fight for us as none of this adds up or is fair! COVID worse than flu? So why do we get the flu jab then!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Have you ever had 3 in 3 (or ever been admitted to hosp with asthma)? Cause that’s what they are referring to. Not within the last year or recent history, but within your ‘asthma’ life time.

And we still get the flu jab cause that’s a known and proven trigger and potential killer for asthmatics (no matter asthma severity), whereas they are finding that surprisingly COVID is not (all the asthmatics I know who had it said it’s completely different to asthma, and the only ones I know who landed in hosp are shielders, or more at risk due to age).

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

The closest together course of steroids I’ve had was 2 back to back for a flare due to hay fever, then 4 months later one course for a cold that flared my asthma! So miss out on that by just one month! I’ve been nebulised at GP surgery but not hospitalised directly due to asthma... it just does not seem right at all any of this criteria for category 6, we are clinically vulnerable yet we are being treated like anyone else without any health conditions and it just doesn’t fit right at all! Especially as so many people have different levels of medication, control and triggers... I understand about the death figures etc, but that isn’t the only concern with COVID and asthma, and I just feel, as I’m sure others too, that none of this is reassuring at all to us right from the very beginning! X